Chinese word

公安

Pronunciation

Pinyingōng ān

Meaning

  • nounpolice officers

Example

街上有很多公安在巡逻。jiē shàng yǒu hěn duō gōng ān zài xún luó

There are many police officers patrolling the streets.

Illustration for 公安 (police officers)

More examples

发现钱包丢了，他马上向公安报案。fā xiàn qián bāo diū le tā mǎ shàng xiàng gōng ān bào àn

When he realized his wallet was missing, he immediately reported it to the police.

Core concept

A state system that protects public order and appears in daily life through the officers who enforce it.

Common phrases

  • 向公安报案xiàng gōng ān bào àn

    report it to the police

  • 公安干警gōng ān gàn jǐng

    public security officer

  • 公安部门gōng ān bù mén

    public security department

Similar words

警察jǐng chá: The police force and its officers prevent crime, investigate cases, and keep public order.
公安局gōng ān jú: A government office that manages public security, maintains order, and controls immigration.
治安zhì ān: The condition in which society remains safe and orderly.
民警mín jǐng: A local police officer who patrols neighborhoods and handles everyday public safety duties.

Definition in Chinese

负责维护社会公共安全和秩序，预防、侦查犯罪并执行治安管理等职能的国家机关及其人员。fù zé wéi hù shè huì gōng gòng ān quán hé zhì xù yù fáng zhēn chá fàn zuì bìng zhí xíng zhì ān guán lǐ děng zhí néng de guó jiā jī guān jí qí rén yuán

Word origin

公安 (gōngān, "public security") joins 公 (gōng, "public") and 安 (ān, "safe") to name safety maintained for the public by state authorities.

Usage tips

  • In English, public security usually names a policy area, but 公安 (gōngān, "public security") can also refer to the authority or its officers, so context identifies the intended sense.

Other meanings

  • public safetynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word