How to say "policeman" in Japanese

• 警官けいかんJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a policeman: use it to talk about an officer you see on the street, ask one for directions, or mention the police in general conversation.
  ２０人にんの警官けいかんが現場げんばに現あらわれた。↗

  Twenty police have arrived on the scene.
• 巡査じゅんさJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA rank — the lowest in the police hierarchy — rather than a general word for policeman, so it is seldom the one you want; it appears in official contexts, with 警官 serving in everyday talk.
  すぐに巡査じゅんさが呼よびにやられた。↗

  A policeman was sent for at once.
• 警察官けいさつかんCommon
  nounThe fuller term for a police officer, used regardless of sex — it covers policewomen too — and the natural choice in news reports and official statements.
  警察官けいさつかんがその泥棒どろぼうを逮捕たいほした。↗

  The policeman arrested the thief.

Use 警官 for a policeman in ordinary conversation; 警察官 for the fuller, sex-neutral term typical of news and official writing; 巡査 only when the specific rank is meant.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 警官けいかんpolice officer
• 巡査じゅんさpolice officer
• 警察官けいさつかんpolice officer
• ポリさんpoliceman
• ポリスマンpoliceman
• ポリ公ポリこうpolice
• 同心どうしんpoliceman