German · People & Family
"Police officer" in German: Polizist / Polizistin
der Polizist / die Polizistin
Police officer in German is der Polizist or die Polizistin. Say ein Polizist hilft uns. The force as a whole is die Polizei.
Directions
Der Polizist zeigt uns den Weg zum Bahnhof.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Polizist / Polizistin
Say it
po-li-TSIST
/poliˈt͡sɪst/ /poliˈt͡sɪstɪn/
po-li-TSIST / po-li-TSIS-tin. Soft z as ts.
"Police officer" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| der Polizist | police officer (male) Masculine. | Masculine. |
| die Polizistin | police officer (female) Feminine. | Feminine. |
| die Polizei | the police Institution. | Institution. |
| einen Polizisten fragen | to ask a police officer Directions / help. | Directions / help. |
How to use Polizist / Polizistin in real life
- 1Directions
Der Polizist zeigt uns den Weg zum Bahnhof.
The police officer shows us the way to the station.
Der Polizist.
- 2Report
Die Polizistin nimmt die Anzeige auf.
The police officer takes the report.
Die Polizistin.
- 3Street
Zwei Polizisten stehen an der Kreuzung.
Two police officers are standing at the intersection.
Polizisten = plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with Polizist / Polizistin
Incorrect: die Polizist
Correct: der Polizist / die Polizistin
Masculine is der Polizist; feminine is die Polizistin.
Incorrect: ein Police-Officer
Correct: ein Polizist / eine Polizistin
Use the German words.
Good to know
People often call die Polizei rather than naming Polizist unless they mean a specific officer. On the street, Sie is the default polite form with officers.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for the way after getting lost
ChatPal
Da vorne steht ein Polizist. Fragen wir.
There's a police officer ahead. Let's ask.
You
Okay. Entschuldigung, Herr Polizist?
Okay. Excuse me, officer?
ChatPal
Die Polizistin neben ihm nickt schon.
The police officer next to him is already nodding.
You
Super. Die helfen uns bestimmt.
Great. They'll definitely help us.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Police officer" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Police officer" in German
How do you say police officer?
Der Polizist / die Polizistin.
The police (force)?
Die Polizei.
Plural?
Die Polizisten / die Polizistinnen.
How to address one?
Often Entschuldigung plus Sie; Herr Polizist is heard but formal.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
