Translation guide
How to refer to 'the authorities' in Japanese, depending on context: government, police, or people in charge.
Referring to government bodies, regulatory agencies, or official institutions in a general sense.
Formal term for 'the authorities' as an official body, often used in news or official contexts.
Referring specifically to police or investigative agencies.
Referring to those with authority in a specific situation, such as at work, school, or an event.
当局 is a broad, formal term for official authorities, often used in news. 警察 specifically means the police. Use 警察 when the context is clearly about law enforcement.
当局は事態を調査中です。
The authorities are investigating the situation.
警察がパトロールしている。
The police are patrolling.
Do not directly translate 'the authorities' as 権威者たち (けんいしゃたち) or 権力者たち (けんりょくしゃたち). These sound unnatural and overly literal. Use context-appropriate terms like 当局 or 警察.
当局はまだ声明を出していない。
The authorities have not yet issued a statement.
Refers to authorities in a legal or enforcement sense, sometimes with a nuance of state power. Can sound slightly dated or literary.
官憲の目を逃れる。
To evade the authorities.
Refers to the administration or executive branch; often used when talking about government services or procedures.
行政の対応が遅い。
The authorities' response is slow.
The standard word for 'police'. Use this when 'the authorities' clearly means the police.
警察が捜査している。
The authorities are investigating.
Specifically 'investigative authorities', used in news reports about criminal investigations.
捜査当局は容疑者を逮捕した。
The authorities arrested the suspect.
Means 'person in charge' or 'responsible person'. Use when asking for the person with authority in a specific place.
責任者を呼んでください。
Please call the authorities (person in charge).
Literally 'person above', a humble way to refer to a superior or person with authority in an organization.
上の者に確認します。
I will check with the authorities (my superior).
Colloquial term for 'the authorities', often with a nuance of government or those in power. Can be slightly old-fashioned or sarcastic.
お上の言うことには逆らえない。
You can't go against the authorities.