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警员 — meaning in English: Police officer

jǐng yuán · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for constable
意识形态
yìshí xíngtài
住宿
zhùsù
警员
jǐng yuán
影响
yǐngxiǎng
第二
dì èr
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers typically use '警员' (jǐng yuán) in both formal and informal contexts when discussing law enforcement. For instance, you might hear it during police-related news reports, or when someone is recounting a personal experience with a police officer. It's commonly used in conversations about public safety or when referring to someone’s profession in a job setting.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is '警察' (jǐng chá), which generally means 'police' and can refer to the police force as a whole. '警员' (jǐng yuán) specifically denotes an individual officer, making it more precise when discussing someone's role or profession. You would choose '警员' when you want to emphasize the person rather than the institution.
Culture
'警员' (jǐng yuán) combines the characters '警' (jǐng), meaning 'to warn' or 'to alert,' and '员' (yuán), which denotes a member of a group. The term reflects the police officer's role in maintaining safety and order. In Chinese culture, the police are often seen as upholders of justice, and this word evokes a sense of respect for those in law enforcement.
FAQ
Q.What is the pronunciation of 警员?
'警员' is pronounced as 'jǐng yuán'. You can practice the tones by saying 'jǐng' with a rising tone and 'yuán' with a flat tone.
Q.How do you write 警员 in Pinyin?
'警员' is written as 'jǐng yuán' in Pinyin, which helps you understand the tonal pronunciation necessary for Mandarin.
Q.Are there any common mistakes with 警员 in Mandarin?
A common mistake is confusing '警员' (jǐng yuán) with '警察' (jǐng chá). Remember, '警员' refers specifically to a police officer, while '警察' refers to the police force in general.
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Chinese (Mandarin) 2000