点検 vs. 検問: Inspection vs. Police Checkpoint — Know the Difference

2020年5月16日2026年4月22日

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Yuka

点検 and 検問 — both involve checking something, but one is for safety maintenance and the other is a police checkpoint. Very different situations!

Rei

Exactly! 点検 (tenken) means an inspection or check — like maintaining equipment or a safety check. 検問 (kenmon) is specifically a police roadblock or security checkpoint.

	点検 (tenken)	検問 (kenmon)
Meaning	Inspection / safety check / maintenance check	Police checkpoint / security screening
Who does it	Technician, staff, owner	Police, security personnel
Context	Equipment, vehicles, facilities	Roads, borders, events
Example	車の点検をしてもらった。	前方で検問をしている。

TOC

点検 — Inspection and Maintenance

点検 (tenken) means a systematic check or inspection — usually for safety, quality, or maintenance purposes. The 点 means “points” (checking each point), and 検 means “inspect.”

車の定期点検をしてもらった。— I had the car’s regular inspection done.
消火器の点検が必要です。— Fire extinguisher inspection is required.
設備点検のため、一時的に閉鎖します。— Temporarily closed for equipment inspection.
点検項目を確認してください。— Please check the inspection items.

検問 — Police Checkpoint

検問 (kenmon) is specifically a police or security checkpoint — where vehicles or people are stopped and checked by authorities. You’ll see this in news about crime investigations, DUI checks, and event security.

前方で警察が検問をしている。— Police are conducting a checkpoint ahead.
飲酒検問に引っかかった。— I was stopped at a drunk-driving checkpoint.
事件後、検問が強化された。— Checkpoints were intensified after the incident.

Memory Tip

Think of it this way: 点検 = “check the points” (technical/maintenance). 検問 = “questioning inspection” (検 + 問 = inspect + question) — police asking questions.

Common Mistakes for English Speakers

Both translate as “inspection” or “check” in English, but they are used in completely different contexts. Using 検問 for a car maintenance check or 点検 for a police roadblock would sound very odd. Learn the context: 点検 = technical/maintenance, 検問 = law enforcement.