戒 (jiè) - to guard against & to warn

戒Tone 4

jiè ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 戈

傑君

戒 · jiè

to guard against;

to warn;

to admonish;

to abstain from;

to quit;

a ring;

a Buddhist monastic discipline.

to guard againstto warnto admonish

Usage highlights

quit smokingabstain from alcoholvigilancewarningBuddhist preceptsring

Synonyms

  • 警— to warn; alert
  • 防— to guard against; prevent
  • 禁— to prohibit; forbid

Antonyms

  • 纵— to indulge; let loose
  • 放— to release; let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He quit smoking (戒烟).
  • Be vigilant against arrogance (戒骄戒躁).
  • Monks must observe the precepts (持戒).
  • She wears a diamond ring (钻戒).

Collocations

  • quit smoking(戒烟)
  • abstain from alcohol(戒酒)
  • vigilance(戒备)
  • warning(告诫)
  • Buddhist precepts(戒律)
  • ring(戒指)

Idioms

  • Be vigilant against arrogance and impatience(戒骄戒躁)
  • Take warning from the past(引以为戒)
  • Clear the monastery and enforce the precepts(清规戒律)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Buddhism, '戒' refers to the moral precepts and disciplines that practitioners undertake.
  • Historically used in military contexts to mean 'be on guard' or 'take precautions'.
  • The character combines '戈' (spear/weapon) and '廾' (two hands), originally depicting hands holding a weapon in a defensive posture.

FAQ