Translation guide
The English word 'patrol' refers to moving around an area to watch or guard it. In Japanese, the most natural equivalents depend on who is patrolling and why. For police or security, パトロール and 巡回 are common. For neighborhood watch or casual checking, 見回り is used. Military patrols use 哨戒. The verb forms also differ: パトロールする, 巡回する, 見回る, etc.
警察がその地域をパトロールしている。
The police are patrolling the area.
毎晩、町内を見回っている。
We do a neighborhood patrol every night.
To move around an area to maintain security, often by police or guards.
Loanword from English, very common for police patrols. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'to patrol'.
警察が街をパトロールしている。
The police are patrolling the town.
Means 'going around' or 'patrol'. Often used for police, security guards, or routine rounds. Can be a noun or verb (巡回する).
Formal term for police patrol. Often used in official contexts like '警ら中' (on patrol). Less common in everyday speech.
To walk around an area to check for problems, often by residents or volunteers.
Means 'patrol' or 'watch' in a community sense. The verb is 見回る. Often used for neighborhood safety patrols or school checks.
夜に町内を見回る。
I patrol the neighborhood at night.
Also used for community patrols, but can sound slightly more formal or organized.
To move through an area for reconnaissance or security in a military context.
Specifically refers to military patrol, especially by ships or aircraft. The verb is 哨戒する.
艦隊が海域を哨戒している。
The fleet is patrolling the waters.
Can be used in military contexts, but 哨戒 is more precise for armed forces patrols.
Referring to the people who perform the patrol.
Means 'patrol team' or 'patrol squad'. Commonly used for organized groups.
パトロール隊が出動した。
The patrol team was dispatched.
Means 'patrol group' or 'rounds team', often used in security or maintenance contexts.
巡回班が定期的にチェックしている。
The patrol group checks regularly.
パトロール is a loanword and feels modern, often used for police or security. 巡回 is a native Japanese word for going around on a set route, used for patrols, inspections, or rounds. 見回り emphasizes the act of looking around to check on things, common for neighborhood watches or school checks.
警察のパトロールが強化された。
Police patrols have been strengthened.
警備員が館内を巡回する。
The guard patrols the premises.
父が夜の見回りに出かけた。
My father went out on the night patrol.
While パトロール is widely understood, using it for casual neighborhood watching can sound overly formal or like you're imitating police. In community contexts, 見回り is more natural.
警備員がビルを巡回している。
The security guard is patrolling the building.
The officer is on patrol.
地域のパトロールに参加した。
I joined the neighborhood patrol.
兵士が境界線をパトロールしている。
Soldiers are patrolling the border.