The Kanji: 警 (Kei)
The kanji 警 means "to warn," "to alert," or "police." It combines 敬 (respect) with 言 (words), originally depicting solemn words of caution. This character represents warnings, vigilance, and law enforcement.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 警察 (keisatsu) - Police
警察に届け出る。
"Report to the police."
2. 警告 (keikoku) - Warning
先生に警告される。
"Be warned by the teacher."
3. 警備 (keibi) - Security
厳重な警備が行われている。
"Tight security is in place."
4. 火災警報器 (kasai keihōki) - Fire alarm
火災警報器が鳴る。
"The fire alarm sounds."
In summary, 警 describes protective vigilance - from law enforcement (警察) and cautions (警告) to security measures (警備) and safety devices (火災警報器). It's essential for public safety vocabulary in Japanese.