The Meaning of chūi [注意] In Japanese

注意
ちゅうい
Romaji: chūi N4

What does 注意 mean?

Translation and Meaning

attention, caution, warning, notice

Definition

Attention or caution; 注意 denotes the act of paying attention, being careful to avoid danger, and noticing or heeding information, signals, or instructions in daily life.

Type

noun (名詞); can be turned into a verb by adding suru: 注意する

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1) Notice or heed in everyday tasks and communication, prompting focus or mindfulness.
  • 2) Caution or warning about potential danger or risk in safety contexts.
  • 3) A sign or instruction indicating a required action or awareness.

Origin

Borrowed from Chinese zhùyì; the Sino-Japanese compound appeared in classical Japanese writings and became common in modern usage, where it covers both general attention and safety warnings.

Composition

  • 注: to note, to observe; to pay attention; often used when signaling or introducing information
  • 意: mind, intention, meaning

Usage

Used as a noun to denote the act of paying attention or being cautious; with the verb する to form 注意する, it can mean to pay attention or to take care in formal and informal contexts; in signage and manuals, 注意 signals warnings or required caution.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: Note + mind — chūi signals you to pay attention; imagine a note that invites you to focus your mind on the task at hand.

Variations

  • 警戒 (keikai) — caution or alertness
  • 気をつける (ki o tsukeru) — to be careful
  • 注視 (chūshi) — close watching
  • 注目 (chūmoku) — attention or notice

Example Phrases

  • 落下 に 注意して 棚 の 上の 物 を 移動した。
    rakka ni chuui shite tana no ue no mono o idou shita.
    I paid attention to falling objects and moved the items on the shelf.
    Lista:
    • 落下 (rakka) – falling
    • に (ni) – to
    • 注意して (chuui shite) – paying attention
    • 棚 (tana) – shelf
    • の (no) – of
    • 上の (ue no) – on top
    • 物 (mono) – things
    • を (o) – direct object marker
    • 移動した (idou shita) – moved
    落下 is a noun meaning 「falling」; in this sentence it combines with に to indicate what to be careful about: 「落下に注意して」.
  • 電車の 料金 は いつも 変わる から 注意してね
    Densha no ryōkin wa itsumo kawaru kara chūi shite ne.
    The train fare always changes, so please be careful.
    Lista:
    • 電車の (Densha no) – train’s
    • 料金 (ryōkin) – fare
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • いつも (itsumo) – always
    • 変わる (kawaru) – change
    • から (kara) – because
    • 注意してね (chūi shite ne) – please be careful
    The word 「料金」 means ‘fare/fee’. Here it forms 電車の料金 with の to show possession/association, and は marks the topic.
  • 階段を 登る前に 注意を払い 安全に 進んでください。
    kaidan o noboru mae ni chūi o harai anzen ni susunde kudasai.
    Please pay attention before climbing the stairs and proceed safely.
    Lista:
    • 階段を (kaidan o) – stairs
    • 登る前に (noboru mae ni) – before climbing
    • 注意を払い (chūi o harai) – pay attention
    • 安全に (anzen ni) – safely
    • 進んでください。 (susunde kudasai.) – please proceed
    In this sentence, 「注意」 (attention) is used with を払い to mean ‘pay attention’.
注意