报警 — meaning in English: Call the police

Usage

Native speakers often use '报警' (bàojǐng) in urgent situations, such as witnessing a crime or experiencing a medical emergency. For example, if someone sees a theft occurring in a public place, they might quickly shout '报警!' to alert others or call for police assistance.

Synonyms & nuances

While '报警' specifically refers to calling the police, a similar expression is '求助' (qiúzhù), which means 'to seek help.' Use '报警' when the situation specifically involves law enforcement, whereas '求助' can apply to a broader context of asking for assistance from anyone.

Culture

'报警' is a compound word made up of '报' (bào), which means 'to report,' and '警' (jǐng), meaning 'police' or 'to alert.' This reflects a cultural emphasis on community safety and the importance of promptly reporting incidents to maintain social order. Interestingly, the phrase has become so integrated into everyday language that it is also used metaphorically in situations where one might need to 'call out' someone for wrongdoing.

FAQ