儆 (jǐng) - To warn & to admonish

儆Tone 3

jǐng ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

儆 · jǐng

To warn;

to admonish;

to alert against danger or wrongdoing.

To warnto admonishto alert against danger or wrongdoing.

Usage highlights

To warn against following bad examplesTo punish one to warn a hundredTo serve as a warningWarning and admonitionTo alert and deterWarning by example

Synonyms

  • 警— to warn; alert
  • 戒— to caution; admonish
  • 告— to tell; inform (as warning)

Antonyms

  • 纵— to indulge; let loose
  • 怂— to instigate; incite

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The incident served as a warning to others (以儆效尤).
  • He was punished as a deterrent example (杀一儆百).
  • The teacher admonished the students against cheating (儆戒学生不要作弊).
  • This failure should serve as a warning (这次失败应引以为儆).

Collocations

  • To warn against following bad examples(儆尤)
  • To punish one to warn a hundred(儆百)
  • To serve as a warning(为儆)
  • Warning and admonition(儆戒)
  • To alert and deter(儆惕)
  • Warning by example(儆示)

Idioms

  • Punish one to warn a hundred(杀一儆百)
  • Use as a warning against others(以儆效尤)
  • Stern warning(严儆)
  • Warning and exhortation(儆劝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in legal and moral contexts to emphasize the deterrent function of punishment.
  • Often appears in classical Chinese texts about governance and moral instruction.
  • Reflects the Confucian idea that exemplary punishment serves educational purposes.

FAQ