In Japanese, what is the difference between OMAWARISAN and KEIKAN?

Question

I understand that both mean policeman, but I'm not sure what the difference is. Please let me know.

All intelligent answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

KEIKAN is a correct word in Japanese, but it sounds hard a little. The children (~age8) never say KEIKAN in their conversation. Kei means guard or police and kan means officer.



However, OMAWARISAN sounds friendly and it is used for in informal place or conversations. O shows the esteem to them. MAWARI means look around or go around (their town) and SAN means Mr.

Answer 2

This is a very culturally astute question, and the difference is, as the above native speaker mentioned, fundamental to the nature of policemen in Japan vs USA. While I was there as a missionary, I would often answer the door and a very friendly, unarmed policeman would say effectively (in Japanese of course) "We are in your neighborhood an wondered if there is anything we can help you with today." This is the nature of "Omawarisan" - a method of community policing that involves meeting each citizen in a friendly atmosphere, get to know the families in each neighborhood, and cooperate together to make a better community. Keikan or Keisatsu is a more formalistic term meaning police, that as the previous writer noted, would not even be used by a child because it is not an important part of their world (unless their parent wants to scare them or something).

Answer 3

Keikan