French Conversation · Level 107
58 words
French word
policier
Pronunciation
IPA/polisje/
Meaning
- masculine nounpolice officer
Example
Un policier m'a aidé hier soir.
A police officer helped me last night.
More examples
J'ai croisé un policier dans la rue ce matin.
I ran into a police officer in the street this morning.
Core concept
A public safety officer present in the field to maintain order and deal with trouble.
Common phrases
croiser un policier
run into a police officer
voir un policier
see a police officer
Similar words
agent: A community police officer who works from a local station and patrols to protect residents.
gendarme: A uniformed police officer who handles traffic and maintains security in rural or suburban areas.
inspecteur: A police officer specializing in investigations and evidence review.
commissaire: A senior police officer who oversees a station or manages part of the organization.
Definition in French
Fonctionnaire ou agent chargé d'assurer la sécurité publique, de prévenir les délits et d'intervenir en cas d'incident.
Word origin
French formed policier from police and the suffix -ier, and police ultimately continues Latin politia, borrowed from Greek politeia.
Usage tips
- La police names the institution or service, whereas un policier names an individual agent.
Opposites
- civilciviliannoun
Related words
- policièrepolicewomannoun