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.

A small neighborhood police station found on street corners throughout Japan. Staffed by one or two officers, these are a uniquely Japanese institution recognized internationally.

COMMON FUNCTIONS:

  • Giving directions to lost pedestrians
  • Receiving 落(お)とし物(もの) (lost items)
  • Handling minor incidents and disputes
  • Community patrol and crime prevention

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 交番(こうばん)で道(みち)を聞(き)く: to ask for directions at a police box
  • 交番(こうばん)に届(とど)ける: to turn something in at a police box

CULTURAL NOTE:
The 交番(こうばん) system is a model of community policing that has been adopted by other countries. Officers are expected to know the local neighborhood well and maintain friendly relations with residents.

RELATED TERMS:

  • 警察署(けいさつしょ): police station (larger, full-service)
  • 警官(けいかん): police officer (neutral)
  • おまわりさん: policeman (friendly/informal term, used by children)

Related Words

Related: 警察署(けいさつしょ) (police station (main))
core
Added 2026.1.11 18:35 · Revised 2026.4.4 14:23
02500/02879_kouban