In German
Polizist
Meaning: police officer
Formal or informal? “Polizist” is a police officer. The police as a force is “die Polizei”, which takes no plural in everyday speech.
Example sentences
Der Polizist hilft uns.
The police officer helps us.
Meine Schwester ist Polizistin.
My sister is a police officer.
Die Polizei kommt sehr schnell.
The police come very quickly.
Grammar note
“Der Polizist” is masculine. The female form is “die Polizistin”, with -in. “Die Polizei” is feminine and means the police force.
Common mistake
Don't mix up “der Polizist” (one officer) with “die Polizei” (the police force). “Die Polizei kommt” means the police are coming, not one officer.
Quick check
Which German word means “police officer” (male)?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the German word for the police as a whole?
“Die Polizei”, which is feminine.
What is the female form of “Polizist”?
“Polizistin”, with -in.