戒备
jiè bèi · HSK 7
to take precautions
🛡️ 戒 (guard against) + 备 (prepare) = stay prepared on guard
戒 means to guard against or abstain, and 备 means to prepare or equip. Together they describe staying alert and ready for an emergency — taking precautions before trouble strikes.
戒 — 廾 (two hands) + 戈 (dagger-axe)
Originally a pictograph showing two hands holding up a dagger-axe, depicting a guard on alert. The core meaning was 'to be on guard' or 'to be vigilant,' which extended to 'warn,' 'prohibit,' and later 'abstain from' (as in religious precepts).