Japanese word

警部

Pronunciation

Romajikeibu

Meaning

  • nounpolice inspector

Example

あの人は警部です。a no hito wa kei bu de su

That person is a police inspector.

Illustration for 警部 (police inspector)

More examples

その警部は事件の捜査を指揮しています。so no kei bu wa ji ken no sō sa o shi ki shi te i ma su

The police inspector is directing the investigation.

Core concept

Refers to an officer's place in the police hierarchy at the rank commonly translated as police inspector.

Common phrases

  • 警部に昇進するkei bu ni shō shin su ru

    be promoted to police inspector

  • 警部を務めるkei bu o tsuto me ru

    serve as a police inspector

Similar words

警部補keibuho: A Japanese police rank immediately below inspector in the hierarchy.
警視keishi: A Japanese police rank immediately above inspector in the hierarchy.

Definition in Japanese

警察組織で、警部補より上位、警視より下位に置かれる階級。kei satsu so shiki de kei bu ho yo ri jō i kei shi yo ri ka i ni o ka re ru kai kyū

Word origin

警部 (keibu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 警 (kei, "to guard") and 部 (bu, "division"), and the compound denotes a police rank.

Usage tips

  • In English versions of Japanese police fiction, 警部 (keibu) is commonly rendered as "Inspector", linking the Japanese title to a familiar role in detective stories.

Related words

  • 警部補keibuhoassistant inspectornoun

Word lists with this word