Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and neutral word for a policeman 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.
Referring to a police officer in a neutral or formal context, such as news, official documents, or when speaking politely.
The standard, formal term for a police officer. Used in official contexts, news, and when referring to the profession.
あの警察官は親切だった。
That policeman was kind.
警察官になりたいです。
I want to become a police officer.
A common, slightly less formal term for a police officer. Often used in everyday speech and writing.
警官が交通整理をしている。
A policeman is directing traffic.
Referring to a police officer in a casual, friendly, or slightly colloquial way, often when speaking to children or in informal settings.
A friendly, colloquial term for a police officer, literally 'Mr. Patrolman'. Commonly used by children or when addressing an officer casually.
お巡りさん、道を教えてください。
Excuse me, officer, can you tell me the way?
子供がお巡りさんに挨拶した。
The child greeted the policeman.
A specific rank (patrol officer) but sometimes used colloquially to refer to a policeman, especially in older or literary contexts.
Directly addressing a police officer or getting their attention.
When speaking directly to a police officer, お巡りさん is common and polite. Alternatively, a simple すみません (excuse me) is often sufficient to get their attention.
お巡りさん、ちょっとお聞きしたいんですが。
Officer, I'd like to ask you something.
すみません、交番はどこですか？
Excuse me, where is the police box?
Referring to a policeman with a specific duty or role.
A female police officer. Note that this term is somewhat dated; 女性警察官 (じょせいけいさつかん) is more modern and neutral.
婦人警官がパトロールしている。
A policewoman is patrolling.
A traffic police officer.
交通警官が違反切符を切った。
The traffic policeman issued a ticket.
警察官 is the most formal and official term. 警官 is slightly less formal but still widely used in everyday language. お巡りさん is casual and friendly, often used when speaking to or about a police officer in a non-official context. Avoid using お巡りさん in formal writing or news reports.
While 'policeman' is gender-specific in English, Japanese terms like 警察官 and 警官 are gender-neutral. Using 男性警察官 (male police officer) is possible but usually unnecessary unless specifying gender is relevant.
A policeman was standing at the police box.