Translation guide
The English word 'police' refers to the organization or its officers. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 警察 (keisatsu) for the institution, and 警察官 (keisatsukan) or お巡りさん (omawarisan) for individual officers. Usage depends on formality and context.
Referring to the police force, department, or institution in general.
The standard, neutral term for the police as an organization. Used in all contexts.
警察に通報してください。
Please call the police.
警察が到着した。
The police have arrived.
Referring to one or more police officers as people.
Formal term for a police officer. Used in official contexts or when specifying the profession.
あの警察官に道を聞こう。
Let's ask that police officer for directions.
Common abbreviation of 警察官. Slightly less formal but widely used in news and conversation.
Informal or slang reference to the police as a group, similar to 'the cops'.
Expressing the action of contacting the police in an emergency.
Standard phrase for 'call the police'. Use 通報する for reporting an incident.
すぐに警察に電話して！
Call the police right away!
Refers to dialing 110, the emergency number for police in Japan. Equivalent to 'call 911'.
事件があったら110番してください。
If there's an incident, please call 110.
Referring to the physical building or local police office.
Standard term for a police station. Larger than a 交番 (kōban).
最寄りの警察署はどこですか？
Where is the nearest police station?
Small neighborhood police box or substation. Unique to Japan; officers there handle local matters.
警察 refers to the institution, while 警察官 and お巡りさん refer to individual officers. 警察官 is formal, お巡りさん is friendly and colloquial. 警官 is a common abbreviation of 警察官.
In English, 'police' can mean officers (e.g., 'The police are here'). In Japanese, 警察 usually means the organization. To refer to officers, use 警察官 or 警官.
警察を呼ぶよ！
I'll call the police!
彼は警察官になりたい。
He wants to become a police officer.
Friendly, colloquial term for a police officer, especially a patrol officer. Often used by children or in casual speech.
お巡りさん、助けて！
Officer, help!
警官がパトロールしている。
A police officer is patrolling.
交番で道を聞いた。
I asked for directions at the police box.