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March 24, 2026
安全ānquán(an1quan2)
安全 (ānquán) refers to the state of being free from danger or risk. It is used in various contexts, such as personal safety, security in situations, and even in discussions about safety regulations. The term conveys a sense of protection and stability.
Frequency#369DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, discussions about safety are often emphasized in urban planning and public events, especially following incidents that highlight safety concerns. The concept of 安全 is deeply embedded in community and government policies, reflecting the collective value placed on security.
Memory Tip
Imagine a calm, serene landscape where everything is secure and peaceful. In this scene, the character '安' (ān) represents 'peace' and '全' (quán) signifies 'whole' or 'complete.' Together, they evoke the image of a safe and complete environment.
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AI Study Notes for 安全
Quick Contrast
安全 (ānquán) vs 保障 (bǎozhàng) — choose 安全 when referring specifically to the state of being safe, while 保障 emphasizes the provision or guarantee of safety.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a calm, serene landscape where everything is secure and peaceful. In this scene, the character '安' (ān) represents 'peace' and '全' (quán) signifies 'whole' or 'complete.' Together, they evoke the image of a safe and complete environment.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 安全 with just 安 (ān), which means 'peace' or 'calm.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing workplace safety or personal security. Common collocations include '安全措施' (safety measures) and '安全检查' (safety inspection).
HSK Study Tips
As part of HSK Level 4, 安全 connects with other words related to safety and risk, such as '危险' (wēixiǎn, danger) and '保护' (bǎohù, protection). Focus on collocations and how to use 安全 in different sentence structures to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In China, discussions about safety are often emphasized in urban planning and public events, especially following incidents that highlight safety concerns. The concept of 安全 is deeply embedded in community and government policies, reflecting the collective value placed on security.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 安全 with 安定 (āndìng), which means 'stability.' For example, saying '我觉得这里很安定' (wǒ juédé zhèlǐ hěn āndìng) instead of '我觉得这里很安全' (wǒ juédé zhèlǐ hěn ānquán) changes the meaning from 'I feel this place is safe' to 'I feel this place is stable.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 安全
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Grammar Patterns of 安全
安全 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Although the car is basically sound, I was worried about certain areas.
9
最近的安全泊地在新斯科舍省的哈利法克斯。
zuì jìn de ān quán bó dì zài xīn sī kē shě shěng de hā lì fǎ kè sī。
The nearest safe anchorage was in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
10
请系好安全带。
qǐng xì hǎo ān quán dài。
Fasten your seatbelts, please.
Cultural Notes for 安全
🏮Cultural insight
In China, discussions about safety are often emphasized in urban planning and public events, especially following incidents that highlight safety concerns. The concept of 安全 is deeply embedded in community and government policies, reflecting the collective value placed on security.
Frequently Asked Questions about 安全
You can say '这个地方很安全' (zhège dìfāng hěn ānquán), which means 'This place is very safe.'
No, 安全 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as everyday conversations about personal safety.
The opposite is 危险 (wēixiǎn), which means 'dangerous' or 'risk.'