警告
How to Understand
警告 means 'warning' in English. It refers to a notice or statement that alerts someone to a potential danger, problem, or rule violation. Unlike 'caution,' which is more general, 警告 often implies a stronger sense of urgency or official notification.
The character 警 (jǐng) originally meant 'to be alert' or 'to guard,' and it often appears in words related to security or warnings. 告 (gào) means 'to inform' or 'to announce.' Together, they form a word that conveys an official or serious message meant to prevent harm or wrongdoing.
警告 is commonly used in public signs, legal contexts, and everyday conversations to indicate something dangerous or prohibited. For example, you might see 警告 on a sign that says 'No Smoking' or hear it in a situation where someone is being told not to repeat a mistake.