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公安 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公安gōng’ān(Ministry of) Public SecurityHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #24801, Hard
公安gōng’ānpublic safetyHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #24801, Hard
公安gōng’ānpublic securityHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #24801, Hard
gōng’ān(gong1an1) T1
  1. 1(Ministry of) Public Security
  2. 2public safety
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March 24, 2026

公安gōng’ān(gong1an1)

公安 (gōng'ān) refers primarily to the Ministry of Public Security in China, which is responsible for maintaining public safety, law enforcement, and overseeing security within the country. This term is commonly used in contexts related to police, safety regulations, and governmental security measures.

Strokes10Frequency#24801DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, the concept of 公安 is deeply intertwined with the country's approach to social stability and control, reflecting a priority on collective security over individual rights. The importance of public security is often highlighted during significant events, such as national celebrations.

Memory Tip

Think of 公 (gōng) as a 'public' square where everyone gathers, and 安 (ān) as a 'peaceful' setting. Together, 公安 evokes the image of a secure public space, where law and order prevail, making it easier to remember both its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 公安

gōng’ān(gong1an1)
1(Ministry of) Public Security
2public safety
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About 公安

公安Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 公安

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Podcast: 公安

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AI Study Notes for 公安

Usage Notes

While 公安 is often used in formal contexts, learners should be cautious not to confuse it with casual terms for police (警察 jǐngchá). It typically collocates with terms like 法律 (fǎlǜ, law) and 维护 (wéihù, maintain), emphasizing its authoritative role in public order. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 公安 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to government and law, like 法 (fǎ, law) and 制度 (zhìdù, system). Students should focus on contextual usage and recognize its importance in discussions about safety and governance in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 公安 with other terms like 警察 (jǐngchá, police) when discussing law enforcement. Remember, 公安 refers specifically to public security at the ministry level, while 警察 refers to the police force.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公安

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Component Characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
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安Āncontent
HSK 56 strokes宀
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How to say (Ministry of) Public Security in Chinese

“(Ministry of) Public Security” in Chinese is公安gōng’ān

公安 (gōng'ān) refers primarily to the Ministry of Public Security in China, which is responsible for maintaining public safety, law enforcement, and overseeing security within the country. This term is commonly used in contexts related to police, safety regulations, and governmental security measures.

When to use 公安

While 公安 is often used in formal contexts, learners should be cautious not to confuse it with casual terms for police (警察 jǐngchá). It typically collocates with terms like 法律 (fǎlǜ, law) and 维护 (wéihù, maintain), emphasizing its authoritative role in public order. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 公安 with other terms like 警察 (jǐngchá, police) when discussing law enforcement. Remember, 公安 refers specifically to public security at the ministry level, while 警察 refers to the police force.

Write 公安

公
安

Practice writing 公安 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 公安

It translates to 'Public Security' or 'Public Safety,' primarily referring to the Ministry of Public Security in China.

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