How to say "bodyguard" in Japanese

• 警護けいごCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers bodyguarding as an activity: protecting or escorting a VIP. It names the guarding service or duty itself rather than the guard, as when police or security teams protect a politician.
• 用心棒ようじんぼうCommon
  nounRefers to the guard himself: a person hired to protect someone, and by extension a bouncer or security guard. Choose it when 'bodyguard' means the individual, not the guarding duty.

Choose 警護 for bodyguarding as an activity — protecting or escorting an important person — and 用心棒 for the bodyguard as a person, a hired guardian that also covers bouncers and security guards.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 警護けいごbodyguard
• 用心棒ようじんぼうbodyguard
• ボディーガードbodyguard
• 随身ずいじんbodyguard (of a noble or high-ranking official)
• 侍衛じえいbodyguard