tíxǐng: 提醒 - To Remind, To Warn

Keywords: 提醒, tíxǐng, how to say remind in Chinese, remind in Chinese, warn in Chinese, Chinese verb for remind, 提醒 meaning, 提醒 vs 通知, set a reminder in Chinese.

Summary: Learn how to use 提醒 (tíxǐng), the essential Chinese verb for “to remind” or “to call attention to.” This guide covers its meaning, from a friendly nudge to a gentle warning, and its cultural role in showing consideration. Understand the difference between 提醒 (tíxǐng), 通知 (tōngzhī), and 警告 (jǐnggào) with practical examples for daily conversation, work, and digital life, making it a must-know word for any beginner.

Pinyin (with tone marks): tíxǐng

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To remind; to call attention to; to warn gently.

In a Nutshell: 提醒 (tíxǐng) is the act of bringing something back into someone's awareness. Think of it as a helpful, verbal tap on the shoulder. It's for information that someone might know but has likely forgotten, like an appointment or a task. It's generally a friendly, cooperative action, much more gentle than a formal “warning.”

提 (tí): This character's radical is a hand (手). Its core meaning is “to lift” or “to raise.” In 提醒, it takes on the meaning of “to bring up” or “to raise” a point or topic for discussion.

醒 (xǐng): This character means “to wake up” or “to be alert/sober.” It's the feeling of coming out of a state of sleep or unawareness.

When combined, 提醒 (tíxǐng) literally means “to lift [an idea] to wakefulness.” It perfectly describes the action of pulling a forgotten piece of information from the back of someone's mind to the front, making them mentally “awake” to it.

In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes collective well-being and harmony, giving a timely 提醒 (tíxǐng) is frequently seen as a sign of thoughtfulness and care. It's a proactive way to help others (and the group) avoid mistakes or inefficiencies. For example, reminding a coworker about a deadline isn't just about the task; it's about showing you're a supportive team member.

Comparison to Western Culture: In more individualistic Western cultures, an unsolicited reminder can sometimes be interpreted as nagging, condescending, or implying that the other person is forgetful or incompetent. While this can also happen in Chinese culture depending on the tone and frequency, a gentle 提醒 (tíxǐng) is far more likely to be received positively as a gesture of goodwill. It's a low-friction tool for maintaining social and professional harmony.

Everyday Life: It's used constantly among friends and family for simple things. “提醒我五点打电话” (Remind me to make a phone call at 5).

Workplace: In the office, 提醒 is a standard and professional way to ensure tasks are on track. It's common in emails and meetings. “我发这封邮件是为了提醒大家，报告周五到期” (I'm sending this email to remind everyone that the report is due Friday).

Digital Age: This is the exact term used for digital alerts. “设置一个提醒” (shèzhì yí ge tíxǐng) means “to set a reminder” on your phone or computer. The notification itself is also a 提醒.

Gentle Warning: It can be used as a soft warning, much less severe than 警告 (jǐnggào). For example: “我得提醒你，那里的路不太好走” (I have to remind/warn you, the roads there aren't very good).

通知 (tōngzhī) - To notify or inform. Used for conveying new information, not forgotten information.

警告 (jǐnggào) - To warn. Much more severe than `提醒`, implies serious consequences.

注意 (zhùyì) - To pay attention. `提醒` is the action of getting someone to `注意` something.

提示 (tíshì) - To prompt, to hint. Often more subtle and indirect than `提醒`. A pop-up tool-tip on a website is a `提示`.

记得 (jìde) - To remember. This is the state you are in when you don't need a `提醒`.

忘记 (wàngjì) - To forget. This is the state that necessitates a `提醒`.

备忘录 (bèiwànglù) - A memo, memorandum. A physical or digital tool (like the “Memos” app) used for the purpose of reminding oneself of things.