Meaning and Usage
"警官" (けいかん) means "police officer" and refers to a person who works in law enforcement, typically wearing a uniform and responsible for maintaining public order and safety.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "警官" in contexts involving crime scenes, public safety, or when someone needs assistance from the police. It is a formal and standard term used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 警官が調査する (The police officer investigates): used when describing police work.
- 警官に尋ねる (Ask a police officer): common when asking for help or directions.
- 警官の制服 (Police officer's uniform): describes the typical attire.
Register and Politeness
"警官" is neutral and appropriate in formal and informal situations. It is more specific than the general word "警察" (police) and refers to an individual officer.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "警官" with "警察官" (けいさつかん), which is a more formal term for police officer. Both are correct, but "警察官" is often used in official contexts, while "警官" is common in everyday speech.