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.
彼は警察官です。
He is a police officer.
警察官が現場に到着した。
The police officers arrived at the scene.
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.
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.
お巡りさん、交番はどこですか？
Officer, where is the police box?
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.
警察が来た！
The police are here! (referring to officers)
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.
お巡りさん、助けてください。
Officer, please help me.
すみません、警察官さん、道に迷ってしまいました。
Excuse me, officer, I'm lost.
Terms for officers with specific roles or ranks.
Detective or plainclothes officer. Used for criminal investigators.
刑事が事件を捜査している。
The detectives are investigating the case.
Motorcycle police officer. Literally 'white bike squad member'.
白バイ隊員が交通違反を取り締まっている。
The motorcycle police are enforcing traffic violations.
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.
警察官の給料は安定している。
A police officer's salary is stable.
あの警官、強そうだね。
That police officer looks strong, huh?
お巡りさんが迷子の子を助けた。
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.
父は警察官です。
My father is a police officer.
駅で警官を見かけた。
I saw a police officer at the station.
Riot police officer. Refers to members of the special riot squad.
機動隊員がデモの警備にあたった。
Riot police were deployed for the demonstration.