Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "警察", "警察官", "交番", "警官"
All represent the core concept "police", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
警察
けいさつ (keisatsu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
警察官
けいさつかん (keisatsukan)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
交番
こうばん (kōban)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
警官
けいかん (keikan)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "police" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "警察", "警察官", "交番", "警官" based on context.
- 警察 (けいさつ (keisatsu) - Level: N4): Maps to "police, police station" and is used when Can refer to the institution.
- 警察官 (けいさつかん (keisatsukan) - Level: N4): Maps to "police officer" and is used when This word refers to a male or female police officer. Often shortened to 警察.
- 交番 (こうばん (kōban) - Level: N4): Maps to "police box; koban" and is used when A small police station or post, very common in Japan. People often go there to ask for directions or report minor issues..
- 警官 (けいかん (keikan) - Level: N4): Maps to "police officer" and is used when A formal term for a police officer. More common in news or official contexts than the more informal お巡りさん.
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.
Context for "警察官"
将来、警察官になりたいです。
I want to become a police officer in the future.
Context for "交番"
駅の前に交番があります。
There is a police box in front of the station.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "police, police station" in the context: "Please call the police when you are in trouble.".