Chinese word

谨慎

Pronunciation

Pinyinjǐn shèn

Meaning

  • adjectivecautious

Example

做决定时要谨慎。zuò jué dìng shí yào jǐn shèn

You should be cautious when making decisions.

Illustration for 谨慎 (cautious)

More examples

投资时要谨慎，不要盲目跟风。tóu zī shí yào jǐn shèn bú yào máng mù gēn fēng

Be cautious when investing, and do not blindly follow the crowd.

Core concept

Careful control of words and decisions when the results may matter.

Common phrases

  • 保持谨慎bǎo chí jǐn shèn

    stay cautious

  • 采取谨慎的态度cái qǔ jǐn shèn de tài dù

    take a cautious attitude

  • 谨慎的决定jǐn shèn de jué dìng

    cautious decision

Similar words

慎重shèn zhòng: Careful and deliberate, taking enough time to think before making a decision.
小心xiǎo xīn: Alert and careful in action to avoid danger, trouble, or mistakes.
细心xì xīn: Attentive to small details so that errors and omissions are less likely.
审慎shěn shèn: Carefully examining the facts and situation before reaching a conclusion.

Definition in Chinese

在言行或决策上采取周全的注意和节制，避免轻率导致不良后果。zài yán xíng huò jué cè shàng cái qǔ zhōu quán de zhù yì hé jié zhì bì miǎn qīng shuài dǎo zhì bù liáng hòu guǒ

Word origin

谨 (jǐn, "restrained and respectful") + 慎 (shèn, "careful and guarded") form a reinforcing compound for caution in both conduct and judgment.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often connect caution mainly with danger, but this Chinese word also naturally marks a measured style of thinking and speaking in routine daily situations.

Other meanings

  • carefuladjective
  • waryadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 谨慎性jǐn shèn xìngcautionnoun

Word lists with this word