TL-060 · Trouble
I need to report this to the police — Japanese
A trouble situation for reporting theft or loss in Japanese, explaining when and where it happened, and asking for a report copy or reference number.
Quick answer
警察に届け出たいです。
Meaning I'd like to report this to the police.
Keisatsu ni todokede-tai desu.
When to use it
Use this after theft or a serious loss when you need to speak to police, explain the incident, and ask about documentation or next steps.
Core phrases
警察に届け出たいです。
Keisatsu ni todokede-tai desu.
I'd like to report this to the police.
電車の中で財布を盗まれました。
Densha no naka de saifu o nusumaremashita.
My wallet was stolen on the train.
1時間くらい前に、ないことに気づきました。
Ichi-jikan kurai mae ni, nai koto ni kizukimashita.
I noticed it was missing about an hour ago.
届出の控えか受付番号をいただけますか？
Todokede no hikae ka uketsuke bangō o itadakemasu ka?
Could I get a copy or reference number for the report?
What you may hear
いつ、どこで起きたか教えてください。
Itsu, doko de okita ka oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me when and where it happened.
なくした物、または盗まれた物の特徴を教えてください。
Nakushita mono, mata wa nusumareta mono no tokuchō o oshiete kudasai.
Please describe the missing or stolen item.
身分証明書と連絡先を確認します。
Mibun shōmeisho to renrakusaki o kakunin shimasu.
We'll need to check your identification and contact details.
How to respond
書類を書く必要がありますか？
Shorui o kaku hitsuyō ga arimasu ka?
Do I need to fill out a form?
英語の案内や通訳はありますか？
Eigo no annai ya tsūyaku wa arimasu ka?
Is English guidance or an interpreter available?
届出の後は何をすればいいですか？
Todokede no ato wa nani o sureba ii desu ka?
What should I do next after filing the report?
Mini conversation
You
警察に届け出たいです。
Keisatsu ni todokede-tai desu.
I'd like to report this to the police.
Other person
どうしましたか？
Dō shimashita ka?
What happened?
You
電車の中で財布を盗まれました。
Densha no naka de saifu o nusumaremashita.
My wallet was stolen on the train.
Other person
いつ、どこで起きたか教えてください。
Itsu, doko de okita ka oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me when and where it happened.
You
1時間くらい前に新宿駅の近くで、ないことに気づきました。
Ichi-jikan kurai mae ni Shinjuku-eki no chikaku de, nai koto ni kizukimashita.
I noticed it was missing about an hour ago near Shinjuku Station.
Other person
財布の特徴を教えてください。
Saifu no tokuchō o oshiete kudasai.
Please describe the wallet.
You
黒い革の財布です。届出の控えか受付番号をいただけますか？
Kuroi kawa no saifu desu. Todokede no hikae ka uketsuke bangō o itadakemasu ka?
It's a black leather wallet. Could I get a copy or reference number for the report?
Other person
はい。手続きの後にご案内します。
Hai. Tetsuzuki no ato ni go-annai shimasu.
Yes. We'll explain that after the procedure.
More natural
盗まれました means it was stolen; なくしました means you lost it. If you are unsure which happened, explain the facts you know and let the police decide the appropriate report.
Good to know
In Japan, police boxes and police stations can assist with theft and lost property. Emergency incidents use 110. Lost-property reports and crime reports are not the same procedure.
Sources
Related situations
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