71
警
Warn, Police
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
The Japanese word for police, 警察 (keisatsu), begins with 警. But there's a neat connection hidden in the vocabulary: 警告 (keikoku) means “warning,” while 警戒 (keikai) means “being on guard” or “vigilance.” So 警 isn't limited to police officers—it carries the broader idea of staying alert to danger and warning others. That's why you'll encounter it on everything from police-related words to safety notices.
Memory Trick
With respectful(敬) words(言), he says, “I am Warning You!”
Readings
Onyomi: ケイ (kei)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
警察
けいさつ (keisatsu)
Police
警告
けいこく (keikoku)
Warning
警報
けいほう (keihou)
Alarm, warning
警備
けいび (keibi)
Security, guard
Example Sentence
警察に電話してください。
けいさつ に でんわ して ください。
keisatsu ni denwa shite kudasai
Please call the police.