Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and neutral word for a police officer is 警察官 (keisatsukan). However, everyday conversation often uses お巡りさん (omawarisan) or 警官 (keikan). The choice depends on formality, context, and the speaker's relationship to the officer.
The most standard, neutral way to refer to a police officer, suitable for news, official contexts, and general conversation.
The formal, official term for a police officer. Used in legal contexts, news reports, and when referring to the profession in a neutral way.
He is a police officer.
A common, slightly less formal abbreviation of 警察官. Widely used in everyday speech and writing, but can sound a bit blunt or impersonal.
Literally 'police' as an organization, but can refer to a police officer in casual speech, similar to saying 'the police' in English. Can be ambiguous.
Can also mean the police force as a whole. Use context to clarify.
How to politely address or refer to a police officer in face-to-face situations.
When speaking to an officer, お巡りさん is friendly and common. In more formal situations, you can use 警察官さん or simply address them with すみません (excuse me) and polite speech.
Officer, please help me.
Excuse me, officer, I'm lost.
Terms for officers with specific roles or ranks.
警察官 is the most formal and official term. 警官 is a common abbreviation, suitable for everyday use but slightly impersonal. お巡りさん is casual and friendly, often used for neighborhood patrol officers. In formal writing or news, stick to 警察官. In casual conversation, 警官 or お巡りさん are natural.
A police officer's salary is stable.
That police officer looks strong, huh?
The police officer helped the lost child.
In English, we might say 'Officer' to get attention. In Japanese, directly saying 警察官！ or 警官！ can sound rude or abrupt. Instead, use すみません (excuse me) or お巡りさん to address them politely.
My father is a police officer.
I saw a police officer at the station.
The police officers arrived at the scene.
警官に道を聞いた。
I asked a police officer for directions.
A friendly, colloquial term for a police officer, especially a patrol officer. Often used by children or in casual conversation. Implies a neighborhood officer.
Officer, where is the police box?
The police are here! (referring to officers)
The motorcycle police are enforcing traffic violations.
Riot police officer. Refers to members of the special riot squad.
Riot police were deployed for the demonstration.