HSK · Level 52
105 words
Chinese word
警钟
Pronunciation
Pinyinjǐng zhōng
Meaning
- nounwarning bell
Example
这件事给我们敲响了警钟。zhè jiàn shì gěi wǒ men qiāo xiǎng le jǐng zhōng
This incident sounded a warning bell for us.
More examples
警钟长鸣，不能再等到后果不可挽回才行动。jǐng zhōng cháng míng bù néng zài děng dào hòu guǒ bù kě wǎn huí cái xíng dòng
The warning bell keeps ringing, and we cannot wait until the consequences are irreversible before taking action.
Core concept
A signal that cuts through ordinary activity, reveals danger, and calls for action.
Common phrases
警钟长鸣jǐng zhōng cháng míng
warning bell keeps ringing
敲响警钟qiāo xiáng jǐng zhōng
sound the warning bell
Similar words
警报jǐng bào: A sound, signal, or broadcast that reports danger or an unusual situation.
警告jǐng gào: Words or a sign that point out danger and urge caution or stopping.
警铃jǐng líng: A bell or bell sound used to attract attention and give a warning.
预警yù jǐng: An advance warning given before danger or an unusual situation becomes more serious.
Definition in Chinese
以钟声或警报提醒注意，借指提示危险或需要采取措施的警告性信号或事件。yǐ zhōng shēng huò jǐng bào tí xǐng zhù yì jiè zhǐ tí shì wēi xiǎn huò xū yào cái qǔ cuò shī de jǐng gào xìng xìn hào huò shì jiàn
Word origin
警钟 (jǐngzhōng, "warning bell") is formed from 警 (jǐng, "warn") + 钟 (zhōng, "bell"), joining the warning function with the object that traditionally gives the warning.
Usage tips
- Modern Chinese often uses this noun for a warning conveyed by an event or problem, so it can describe a lesson from reality rather than a sound in the room.
Other meanings
- alarmnoun