Definition

1. Noun:
   • Public security; police: The state agency responsible for maintaining public order, social safety, and national security. It refers to the organization as a whole.
   • Police officer; policeman; policewoman: A colloquial term for an individual officer who works for this agency.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Organization):
  • Công an phường rất thân thiện. (The ward police station is very friendly.)
  • Mọi người cần tuân theo chỉ dẫn của công an. (Everyone needs to follow the instructions of the police.)
• Noun (Officer):
  • Một chú công an đang giúp người già qua đường. (A police officer is helping an elderly person cross the street.)
  • Anh trai tôi là một công an. (My older brother is a policeman.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "công an" encompasses a broader concept of "public security" than just law enforcement, often including responsibilities for political security and social order.
• In Vietnam, "công an" is a specific term for the People's Public Security force, a main pillar of the Ministry of Public Security.

Variants and Related Words

• Công an viên (n): Public security agent; a specific term for an officer.
  • Công an viên đang đi tuần tra. (The public security agent is on patrol.)
• Đồn công an (n): Police station.
  • Hãy đến đồn công an để báo cáo. (Please go to the police station to report.)
• Cảnh sát (n): Police; often used in contexts more similar to "traffic police" or general law enforcement, sometimes interchangeable with "công an" in casual speech.

Synonyms

• Police: The most general equivalent for the organization or its officers.
• Public security force: Emphasizes the state security and order maintenance role.
• Police officer: For an individual member.

Related Terms and Phrases

• Giữ gìn trật tự an toàn xã hội: To maintain social order and safety (a core function of ).
• Phòng công an: Police department (e.g., in a district).
• Công an xã: Commune-level police.

noun

1. Public security; police
   • công an viên
     pubdic security agent; policeman