How to say "patrol" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword and the all-purpose choice for 'patrol': police officers or security guards going around streets or buildings to watch for trouble. When you simply mean 'patrol', start here.
- 哨戒しょうかいnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbPatrol by ships or aircraft, typically military: watching over the sea or sky for intruders or signs of danger. The nuance is alert, wary vigilance rather than a routine round of places.
- 巡回じゅんかいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbPatrol as making the rounds: going around a circuit, such as a guard checking each floor of a building. It also means 'round' and 'tour', so the emphasis falls on the going-around itself.
- 巡行じゅんこうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA word for going around on patrol; in actual use you are likeliest to meet it for a procession through the streets, so it is seldom the word you want for 'patrol'.
- 警らけいらnoun, suru verb, transitive verbPatrol as a police duty: officers covering their beat to prevent crime and keep public order. A policing term — the word for police patrols specifically.
Use 「パトロール」 as the all-purpose loanword; 哨戒 for patrol by ships or aircraft; 巡回 for making the rounds; 「警ら」 for police patrol duty; 巡行 is mostly met for processions, so it is seldom the word you want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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