戒

The core sense is the establishment of a boundary—either through speech or self-regulation—to prevent transgression. This encompasses communicative warning, internal discipline, and codified restrictions (e.g., family instructions).

Used transitively to warn, admonish, or caution another; used reflexively or intransitively to guard against or abstain from a specific pitfall or impulse. Also functions nominally as a precept, commandment, or set of prohibitions.

Distinguish from 警 (jǐng), which often denotes a sudden alarm or shock, whereas 戒 implies sustained discipline or the imposition of a limit. Distinguish from 慎 (shèn), which is a state of prudence; 戒 is the active mechanism used to maintain that prudence. Distinguish from 禁 (jìn), which typically refers to absolute or legal prohibition, while 戒 generally carries a moral, pedagogical, or disciplinary tone.

Frequently interchangeable with 誡. In earlier strata, a distinction may exist where 誡 leans toward spoken instruction/commandment and 戒 retains the sense of the internal guard or boundary itself.

In reflexive or introspective contexts (guarding against an impulse), "warn" is typically too weak; the sense is one of active avoidance or self-policing. If both 戒 and 誡 appear in a single text, check for a distinction between the rule (誡) and the vigilance required to keep it (戒).