Cautious and prudent behavior involves careful consideration of potential risks and consequences before acting.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Be careful and thoughtful in actions.
- Avoid unnecessary risks and consider consequences.
- A sign of maturity and good judgment.
Overview
谨慎 (jǐnshèn) 是一个形容词，也可以用作名词，表示在做决定或采取行动时，非常小心、周到、不冒不必要的风险。它是一种重要的个人品质，在生活和工作中都能帮助人们避免错误和损失。这个词强调的是一种深思熟虑、预见性和对潜在后果的关注。
谨慎通常用来形容一个人的行为方式、态度或决策过程。它可以用来描述一个人（例如：他这个人很谨慎）、一个行为（例如：他做事很谨慎）或一种态度（例如：请保持谨慎）。在句子中，它经常与“小心”、“注意”、“考虑”等词语搭配使用。
在日常生活中，我们可能会建议朋友“做事情要谨慎”，尤其是在处理金钱、重要决定或新情况时。在工作场合，领导者会要求下属“谨慎行事”，以防出现差错。在学术研究中，研究人员会“谨慎地分析”数据。在旅行中，人们会“谨慎地选择”交通工具和住宿。总而言之，任何需要仔细考虑和规避风险的场合，都可以用到“谨慎”。
与“小心”相比，“谨慎”更侧重于事前周密的考虑和对潜在风险的评估，而“小心”更多地指行动时的细致和避免直接的危险。“稳重”则强调行为举止沉着、不轻浮，与“谨慎”有相似之处，但“谨慎”更强调的是对风险的规避和对后果的考量。“审慎”与“谨慎”非常接近，都表示仔细考虑，但“审慎”可能更偏向于书面语和更正式的场合。
Examples
他这个人做事一向很谨慎，从不冒险。
everydayHe is always cautious in his actions and never takes risks.
面对复杂的市场变化，公司需要采取谨慎的投资策略。
formalFacing complex market changes, the company needs to adopt a prudent investment strategy.
开车的时候一定要谨慎点儿，注意安全。
informalYou must be careful when driving, pay attention to safety.
研究人员在得出结论前，对实验数据进行了谨慎的分析。
academicThe researchers conducted a careful analysis of the experimental data before drawing conclusions.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
三思而后行
Think thrice before acting
谨言慎行
Be cautious in speech and action
防患于未然
Prevent trouble before it happens
Often Confused With
'Cautious' (谨慎) implies a deeper level of thoughtful consideration of potential risks and consequences, often before an action. 'Careful' (小心) often refers to the manner of performing an action, focusing on avoiding immediate mistakes or dangers.
'Reckless' (鲁莽) is the opposite of cautious. It means acting without thinking about the dangers or consequences, often impulsively.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '谨慎' is generally used in neutral to formal contexts. It's a positive attribute, suggesting thoughtfulness and responsibility. Avoid using it in overly casual or slang situations where a simpler word like '小心' might suffice.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '谨慎' with '小心'. While related, '谨慎' emphasizes foresight and risk assessment more than just carefulness in execution. Also, ensure correct placement when used as an adverb (e.g., '谨慎地').
Tips
Think Before You Act
Always consider the potential outcomes of your actions. Being cautious helps prevent future problems.
Don't Be Overly Cautious
While prudence is good, excessive caution can lead to missed opportunities. Find a balance between caution and decisiveness.
Valued Trait in Chinese Culture
Being 'jǐnshèn' is often seen as a sign of maturity, wisdom, and reliability in Chinese culture. It's a highly respected quality.
Word Origin
The character '谨' (jǐn) originally meant 'to tie up' or 'to bind', implying carefulness and restraint. Combined with '心' (xīn, heart/mind), '谨慎' suggests holding one's heart/mind carefully and thoughtfully.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, including Chinese culture, '谨慎' is highly valued. It's associated with wisdom, maturity, and reliability. Acting prudently is often seen as a sign of good upbringing and sound judgment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'king' (君) who is always 'shen' (深, deep) in thought before making any royal decree. He is 'jǐn' (谨, respectful, careful) of his subjects' well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘谨慎’更侧重于事前周密的考虑和对潜在风险的评估，而‘小心’更多地指行动时的细致和避免直接的危险。‘谨慎’是一种更深层次的思考和规划。
当你需要做重要决定、处理复杂情况、涉及金钱交易或可能面临风险时，都应该使用‘谨慎’。它提醒人们要三思而后行。
‘谨慎’既可以是人的性格特质，也可以是通过经验学习和培养的。有些人天生就比较谨慎，而有些人则需要通过不断的反思和实践来学会谨慎。
不一定。‘谨慎’是一种智慧和负责任的表现，它帮助人们规避不必要的风险，而不是盲目地害怕。有勇气的行动也需要谨慎来指导。
Test Yourself
在做这个重要的决定之前，他反复思考，表现得非常______。
根据句意，这个人是在做重要决定前反复思考，这体现了谨慎的态度，排除了冲动、兴奋和随意。
下列哪个行为最能体现“谨慎”？
选项b描述了过马路前的观察行为，这是典型的规避风险、小心行事的表现，符合‘谨慎’的含义。
请用“谨慎”、“对待”、“情况”组成一个句子。
选项c是将‘谨慎’作为副词修饰动词‘对待’，并且指出了‘对待’的对象‘情况’，构成了一个完整且符合逻辑的句子。
Score: /3
Summary
Cautious and prudent behavior involves careful consideration of potential risks and consequences before acting.
- Be careful and thoughtful in actions.
- Avoid unnecessary risks and consider consequences.
- A sign of maturity and good judgment.
Think Before You Act
Always consider the potential outcomes of your actions. Being cautious helps prevent future problems.
Don't Be Overly Cautious
While prudence is good, excessive caution can lead to missed opportunities. Find a balance between caution and decisiveness.
Valued Trait in Chinese Culture
Being 'jǐnshèn' is often seen as a sign of maturity, wisdom, and reliability in Chinese culture. It's a highly respected quality.
Examples
4 of 4他这个人做事一向很谨慎，从不冒险。
He is always cautious in his actions and never takes risks.
面对复杂的市场变化，公司需要采取谨慎的投资策略。
Facing complex market changes, the company needs to adopt a prudent investment strategy.
开车的时候一定要谨慎点儿，注意安全。
You must be careful when driving, pay attention to safety.
研究人员在得出结论前，对实验数据进行了谨慎的分析。
The researchers conducted a careful analysis of the experimental data before drawing conclusions.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
