Translation guide
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency. In Japanese, it is almost always referred to by its English abbreviation, エフビーアイ (FBI), or the full translated name. This entry covers how to refer to the FBI in Japanese, including common abbreviations, formal names, and contextual usage.
How to say 'Federal Bureau of Investigation' or 'FBI' in Japanese
The most common way to refer to the FBI in Japanese is the English abbreviation 'FBI', written in Latin letters or sometimes in katakana as エフビーアイ. It is widely understood, especially in news and media.
FBIが捜査を開始した。
The FBI has launched an investigation.
彼はFBI捜査官だ。
He is an FBI agent.
In Japanese, it is perfectly natural to use 'FBI' (often pronounced エフビーアイ) in both formal and informal contexts. The full translated name 連邦捜査局 is mainly used in official documents or when introducing the term for the first time.
This is the formal Japanese translation of 'Federal Bureau of Investigation'. It is used in official contexts, news reports, and legal documents, but less common in everyday conversation.
連邦捜査局（FBI）はテロ対策を強化している。
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is strengthening counterterrorism measures.
Katakana rendering of 'FBI'. Often used in spoken Japanese or when writing in kana-only contexts. It is interchangeable with the Latin-letter 'FBI'.
エフビーアイの捜査官が来日した。
An FBI agent visited Japan.