Differences between 'Security' and 'Safety'
2021-02-27
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1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Victor, who is from Brazil.
2Hello, my name is Victor,
3Can you talk about the use of the words security and safety? What's the difference between these two words?
4Best regards
5Dear Victor,
6Thank you for your email.
7While the words "security" and "safety" are nouns with similar meanings, they are used differently.
8"Security" often has to do with a group's efforts to protect its members from harm.
9"Safety" most often relates to a personal feeling of being free from harm or danger.
10Security seems to define efforts and measures that are outside of an individual, while safety is closer to an inner feeling.
11Here is a simple discussion to show the difference:
12Did you think about safety when you moved to that neighborhood?
13Yes, I did. Luckily, there is a security guard at the front door of the apartment.
14In English, you may hear the word "security" used to describe people with the job of protecting a place.
15It is also used to describe efforts to protect the country.
16The U.S. has the Department of Homeland Security so that its citizens can feel safe.
17You may see some government buildings with "high-security" measures to stop people from entering.
18Individuals, organizations, and governments value "cybersecurity" to stop people from causing harm to computers and equipment through the internet.
19Here is one example:
20Cybersecurity helps stop enemies from stealing private information.
21We would not say "cybersafety" when talking about measures to protect the nation's computer systems.
22Cybersecurity, instead, describes the effort to stop others from attacking.
23Here is another example. In factories or workshops, workers need to wear face coverings or other protection like safety glasses for their eyes.
24But, such glasses are not called "security glasses."
25That is because they relate to one's personal safety:
26They protect you from dangers like dust, viruses, flying objects or chemicals.
27I need to wear a face covering for my safety, to avoid breathing in these chemicals.
28This person wants to be free from harm, so she used her safety mask.
29As a result, she follows job safety measures.
30Thank you again for the question, Victor.
31And to our listeners everywhere, what question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
32And that's Ask a Teacher!
33I'm Armen Kassabian.
1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Victor, who is from Brazil. 2Question: 3Hello, my name is Victor, 4Can you talk about the use of the words security and safety? What's the difference between these two words? 5Best regards 6Answer: 7Dear Victor, 8Thank you for your email. 9While the words "security" and "safety" are nouns with similar meanings, they are used differently. 10"Security" often has to do with a group's efforts to protect its members from harm. "Safety" most often relates to a personal feeling of being free from harm or danger. Security seems to define efforts and measures that are outside of an individual, while safety is closer to an inner feeling. 11Here is a simple discussion to show the difference: 12Did you think about safety when you moved to that neighborhood? 13Yes, I did. Luckily, there is a security guard at the front door of the apartment. 14In English, you may hear the word "security" used to describe people with the job of protecting a place. It is also used to describe efforts to protect the country. 15The U.S. has the Department of Homeland Security so that its citizens can feel safe. 16You may see some government buildings with "high-security" measures to stop people from entering. Individuals, organizations, and governments value "cybersecurity" to stop people from causing harm to computers and equipment through the internet. Here is one example: 17Cybersecurity helps stop enemies from stealing private information. 18We would not say "cybersafety" when talking about measures to protect the nation's computer systems. Cybersecurity, instead, describes the effort to stop others from attacking. 19Here is another example. In factories or workshops, workers need to wear face coverings or other protection like safety glasses for their eyes. But, such glasses are not called "security glasses." That is because they relate to one's personal safety: They protect you from dangers like dust, viruses, flying objects or chemicals. 20I need to wear a face covering for my safety, to avoid breathing in these chemicals. 21This person wants to be free from harm, so she used her safety mask. As a result, she follows job safety measures. 22Thank you again for the question, Victor. 23And to our listeners everywhere, what question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 24And that's Ask a Teacher! 25I'm Armen Kassabian. 26Armen Kassabian wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. Try to practice using the words ''security' and 'safety' in the comments below.