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
警察署
けいさつしょ (keisatsusho)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "police" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 警察 and 警察署.
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, 警察署 (けいさつしょ (keisatsusho)) maps to "police station" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 警察官が勤務し、事件の対応や住民の安全を守る施設です。何かあった時に訪れる場所です。. 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 "警察署"
落とし物をしたので、警察署に行きました。
I lost something, so I went to the police station.
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.". "警察署" represents "police station".