警官 — meaning in English: Policeman

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Guess the translation for policeman

犠牲者

giseisha

ピーク

トラック

警官

識別

shikibetsu

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neutral common

Usage

The word 警官 is commonly used in everyday conversations in Japan, particularly when discussing law enforcement matters. Native speakers might use it when talking about police presence at events or in news reports regarding crime, often addressing the police as 警官 when seeking assistance or making inquiries.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 警官 is police (ポリス), which is a loanword from English. However, 警官 is the formal term used in official contexts, while ポリス is more casual and often used in daily conversation. You would choose 警官 when referring to a police officer in a formal report or an official discussion.

Culture

Interestingly, the character 警 in 警官 means 'to warn' or 'to alert,' while 官 refers to 'official' or 'governmental.' This reflects the dual role of a policeman as both a protector and a civil servant in Japanese society. Historically, Japan's modern police system was established during the Meiji era, transforming the role of police officers into a critical element of urban life and public safety.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 警官?

The pronunciation of 警官 in romaji is 'keikan.' This word is composed of two syllables: 'kei' (警) and 'kan' (官).

Q.How do you say 'female police officer' in Japanese?

In Japanese, a female police officer can be referred to as 警官 (keikan) as well, since the term is gender-neutral. However, you may also hear the term 女性警官 (josei keikan) which explicitly means 'female police officer.'

Q.Are there any common phrases that use 警官?

Yes, a common phrase is 警官に通報する (keikan ni tsuuhou suru), which means 'to report to the police.' This phrase is useful in emergencies when you need to contact law enforcement.

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