Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Police" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "police", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
警察
けいさつ (keisatsu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
警官
けいかん (keikan)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "police" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 警察 and 警官.
In Japanese, 警察 (けいさつ (keisatsu)) is typically associated with "police, police station" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Can refer to the institution.
On the other hand, 警官 (けいかん (keikan)) maps to "police officer" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A formal term for a police officer. More common in news or official contexts than the more informal お巡りさん. A literal translation of "police" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "警察"
困った時は警察に電話してください。
Please call the police when you are in trouble.
Bilingual Context for "警官"
事故現場に警官が到着しました。
Police officers arrived at the accident scene.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "困った時は ＿＿＿ に電話してください。" (Meaning: "Please call the police when you are in trouble.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "警察" fits here because it means "police, police station" in the context of: "Please call the police when you are in trouble.". "警官" represents "police officer".