交番(こうばん)

こうばん
noun
police box
1. police box
A small police station found on street corners in Japan.
交番(こうばん)で道(みち)を聞(き)きました。
I asked for directions at the police box.
駅前(えきまえ)に交番(こうばん)があります。
There is a police box in front of the station.
財布(さいふ)を交番(こうばん)に届(とど)けた。
I turned in the wallet at the police box.
落(お)とし物(もの)を交番(こうばん)に届(とど)けた。
I took the lost item to the police box.
近所(きんじょ)の交番(こうばん)のおまわりさんはとても親切(しんせつ)だ。
The officer at the neighborhood police box is very kind.

交番(こうばん) is a uniquely Japanese institution.

FUNCTIONS:

  • Giving directions
  • Receiving lost items
  • Handling minor incidents
  • Community patrol

RELATED:

  • 警察署(けいさつしょ) (police station - larger)
  • 警官(けいかん) (police officer)
  • おまわりさん (policeman - friendly term)
core
Added 2026.1.11 18:35 · Revised 2026.2.27 9:45
02500/02879_kouban