警察
keisatsu
police
警察が犯人を逮捕した。
The police arrested the criminal.
formal
The civil force of a national or local government responsible for law enforcement.
警察は市民の安全を守るために活動している。
The police are working to protect citizens' safety.
事件の捜査は警察によって行われている。
The investigation of the case is being conducted by the police.
Refers to the organization, not individual officers (see 警官).
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 警官
警察 refers to the organization or system, while 警官 refers to individual police officers. Example: '警察官になる' (to become a police officer).
Word Origin
From 中古漢語 '警' (to warn) + '察' (to investigate), compounded during the Meiji era as a calque of Western police systems.
Usage Notes
Used as a collective noun (e.g., '警察が来た' = 'The police came'). For individual officers, use '警官' (police officer).
Word Breakdown
警
to warn
root察
to investigate
root和英辞典