Translation and Meaning of: 警察 - keisatsu
The Japanese word 警察[けいさつ] is essential for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Known for representing the police or law enforcement, it frequently appears in news, dramas, and even in everyday conversations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in Japan, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.
If you have ever watched an anime or Japanese film, you have probably heard this word in scenes of investigation or police approaches. But does 警察 have cultural or historical nuances that go beyond its basic meaning? Let's find out together, with accurate and relevant information for students and the curious.
Meaning and use of 警察[けいさつ]
警察[けいさつ] is the Japanese word for "police" or "law enforcement." It refers to both the institution and individual police officers, depending on the context. In phrases like "警察に通報する" (to call the police) or "警察官" (police officer), its use is straightforward and functional, with no significant variations in meaning.
In everyday Japanese, the word is neutral and does not carry positive or negative connotations by itself. However, the perception of the police in Japan is generally more positive than in some Western countries, due to the low crime rate and the efficiency of the police system. This makes 警察 a word associated with security and public order.
Origin and composition of kanjis
The word 警察 is formed by two kanjis: 警 (kei, "alert" or "warning") and 察 (satsu, "investigate" or "perceive"). Together, they convey the idea of "maintaining vigilance and investigating," which perfectly reflects the function of the police. This combination is not random but rather a logical construction that dates back to the Meiji period, when the modern policing system was established in Japan.
It is worth noting that 警 by itself appears in other words related to security, such as 警告 (keikoku, "warning") or 警官 (keikan, "police officer"). Meanwhile, 察 is found in terms like 察知 (satchi, "perception") or 警察官 (keisatsukan, "police official"). Understanding these radicals can make it easier to memorize not only 警察 but also related vocabulary.
Tips for memorization and curiosities
An effective way to fix 警察[けいさつ] is to associate it with common images or situations. For example, think of a Japanese police officer making an "alert" (警) while "investigating" (察) a crime scene. This visual and semantic association helps to memorize both the pronunciation and the kanjis.
Interestingly, the word is so integrated into everyday life that it even appears in specific terms, such as 警察署 (keisatsusho, "police station") or 警察犬 (keisatsuken, "police dog"). If you have ever visited Japan, you may have seen signs with 警察 at stations or on streets, indicating the presence of a nearby police station. These small details reinforce its importance in Japanese society.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 警官 (Keikan) - Police officer; police official
- 警備員 (Keibiin) - Security; security guard
- 警視庁 (Keishichou) - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
- 警部 (Keibu) - Police commissioner; senior officer
- 警察官 (Keisatsukan) - Police officer; law enforcement agent
- 警部補 (Keibuho) - Sub-commissioner; assistant officer
- 警察署 (Keisatsusho) - police station
- 警察官庁 (Keisatsukanchou) - Police Department; police agency
- 警察庁 (Keisatsuchou) - National Police Department
- 警察官僚 (Keisatsukanryou) - Police bureaucrats; high-ranking officials
- 警察官房 (Keisatsukanbou) - Police office; administrative headquarters
- 警察庁長官 (Keisatsuchou Choukan) - Head of the National Police Department
- 警視 (Keishi) - Police officer; high position
- 警視庁長官 (Keishichou Choukan) - Chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
- 警視正 (Keishisei) - Junior Commissioner; senior officer
- 警視庁幹部 (Keishichou Kanbu) - Executives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
- 警視庁捜査一課 (Keishichou Sousa Ikka) - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department; investigation division
- 警視庁刑事部 (Keishichou Keiji-bu) - Criminal Department of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
- 警視庁交通部 (Keishichou Koutuu-bu) - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Traffic Division
- 警視庁警備部 (Keishichou Keibi-bu) - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Security Department
- 警視庁公安部 (Keishichou Kousei-bu) - Department of Public Security of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Romaji: keisatsu
Kana: けいさつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: police
Meaning in English: police
Definition: An organization that works to prevent crime and uphold the law.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (警察) keisatsu
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (警察) keisatsu:
Example Sentences - (警察) keisatsu
See below some example sentences:
Keisatsu wa hannin o kakuho shimashita
The police arrested the criminal.
The police secured the culprit.
- 警察 (keisatsu) - police
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 犯人 (han'nin) - criminal
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 確保 (kakuhou) - captured
- しました (shimashita) - Polite past tense of the verb "to do."
Keisatsu wa ihō kōi o torishimaru tame ni katsudō shiteimasu
The police are working to crack down on illegal activities.
The police are working to crack down on illegal activities.
- 警察 - keisatsu (police)
- は - wa (topic particle)
- 違法行為 - ihou koui (illegal activities)
- を - wo (direct object particle)
- 取り締まる - torishimaru (regulatory)
- ために - tameni (to)
- 活動しています - katsudou shiteimasu (are active)
Busou shita keisatsukan ga machi wo patorooru shite iru
Armed police officers patrol the streets.
Armed police officers are patrolling the city.
- 武装した - armored
- 警察官 - police officer
- が - subject particle
- 街 - city
- を - direct object particle
- パトロール - patrol
- している - Is doing
Kono hannin wa keisatsu ni tehai sarete imasu
This criminal is being sought by the police.
The criminal is organized by the police.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- 犯人 - noun that means "criminal"
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 警察 - noun that means "police"
- に - Particle indicating the target of the action
- 手配 - noun that means "wanted"
- されています - passive form of the verb "suru", which indicates that the action was done by the subject and not by the agent. In this case, it means "was sought"
Koban ni wa keisatsukan ga jūchū shite imasu
Cops reside in the police box.
- 交番 (Koban) - Police station
- には (niwa) - indicates the location of the subject (at the police station)
- 警察官 (keisatsukan) - police officer
- が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence (the police officer)
- 常駐しています (jūchū shiteimasu) - is always present
Junsa wa keisatsukan no issu desu
Junsa is a type of police officer.
The police are a type of police.
- 巡査 - police officer
- は - Topic particle
- 警察官 - police officer
- の - Possession particle
- 一種 - a type of
- です - is
Watashi wa keisatsu ni tsukamaru mae ni nigetai desu
I want to run away before I get caught by the police.
I want to escape before I get caught by the police.
- 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 警察 - Japanese word that means "police"
- に - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
- 捕まる - Japanese verb that means "to be arrested"
- 前に - expression meaning "before"
- 逃げたい - Japanese verb that means "to want to escape"
- です - final particle that indicates the end of the sentence and the formal tone
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
