Meaning and Role
警部 (けいぶ) is a police rank in Japan, typically translated as "police inspector." It is a middle management position within the police force, above police sergeant (警部補) and below higher ranks such as superintendent.
Usage in Context
When you hear 警部 in conversation or media, it usually refers to a police officer who leads investigations or manages a team. For example, a 警部 might be in charge of directing a criminal case or supervising junior officers.
Common Collocations
- 警部は事件を捜査する (The inspector investigates a case)
- 警部に昇進する (to be promoted to police inspector)
- 警部補と警部 (police sergeant and police inspector, often confused)
Register and Nuance
The term 警部 is formal and used in official or professional contexts, such as police reports, news, or detective stories. It is not used casually to refer to police officers in general.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing 警部 (けいぶ) with 警部補 (けいぶほ), which is a lower rank. Pay attention to the suffix 補 (ほ), which indicates the assistant or deputy rank. Remember that 警部 is a higher rank and often involves leadership responsibilities.