警備員

• Reading: けいびいん
• Romaji: keibiin
• Kanji breakdown: 警 (kei) — warn, guard; 備 (bi) — prepare, equip; 員 (in) — member, personnel
• Pronunciation: /keː.biː.iɴ/

Meaning

A security guard; a person employed to protect or watch over a place.

Refers to professional security personnel stationed at buildings, events, construction sites, or public facilities. Distinguished from 警察官 (police officer) as 警備員 are private security staff. A common and visible occupation in Japan, where security guards are found at nearly every construction site and major building.

Examples

1. ビルの入り口に警備員が立っている。 A security guard is standing at the building entrance.
2. 警備員がお客さんを駐車場まで案内していた。 The security guard was guiding a customer to the parking lot.
3. コンサート会場には多くの警備員が配置された。 Many security guards were stationed at the concert venue.

Usage Guide

Context: buildings, events, public spaces

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 警備 (guard, security) + 員 (member, personnel). 警備 itself combines 警 (warn, guard) + 備 (prepare, equip).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal