Translation guide
A constable is a police officer, typically of the lowest rank. In Japanese, the equivalent depends on the context: historical, modern UK, or generic. The most common modern term is 警察官 (police officer), but specific ranks like 巡査 (junior officer) or historical terms like 与力 may apply.
Referring to a constable in a contemporary police force, especially in the UK or Commonwealth, as a rank.
The standard Japanese police rank equivalent to a constable or patrol officer. Used in modern Japan and understood for foreign contexts.
彼は巡査として交番に勤務している。
He works at a police box as a constable.
Generic term for police officer. Use when the specific rank is not important or when referring to the role in general.
その警察官は親切に道を教えてくれた。
The constable kindly gave me directions.
Abbreviation of 警察官, commonly used in speech and news. Slightly less formal.
警官がパトロールしている。
A constable is patrolling.
Referring to a constable in a historical Japanese context, such as the Edo period.
A historical term for a police official or constable in the Edo period, often serving under a magistrate.
江戸時代の与力は町の治安を守った。
Constables in the Edo period maintained public order in the town.
A lower-ranking constable or patrol officer in the Edo period, working under the 与力.
Specifically referring to a constable in the British police system, often with cultural connotations.
Since there is no exact cultural equivalent, use 巡査 and clarify it's a British police rank. For example, イギリスの巡査.
イギリスの巡査は独特の帽子をかぶっている。
British constables wear distinctive hats.
In modern Japanese, there is no exact equivalent of 'constable' as a rank unless you specify the country. Using 巡査 is safe, but always consider if 警察官 or 警官 is more natural for the context.
同心は犯罪者を捕まえる役目だった。
The constable's duty was to catch criminals.