How to say "defence" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 防御ぼうぎょnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for defence as an act of warding off attack or harm; it covers protecting a person, place, or thing from danger or an enemy.
- 防衛ぼうえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDefence in the sense of protecting a country or its territory against outside threat; this is the word behind talk of national defence.
- 弁護べんごnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDefence in the legal sense: speaking in someone's defence in court, or defending a person or position against criticism or accusation.
- 守りまもりnounPrimarily 'protection': the act of guarding or keeping something safe. As 'defence' it keeps a protective nuance, the emphasis on keeping safe rather than on combat.
- 警備けいびnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReally 'security' or 'guarding': watching over buildings, events, or people to prevent trouble or incidents. For defence against attack it is seldom the word you want.
Choose 防御 for defence against attack or harm in general, 防衛 for defending a country or territory, 弁護 for legal defence, 「守り」 for protective guarding, and 警備 for security guarding.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 防御ぼうぎょdefense
- 防衛ぼうえいdefense
- 弁護べんごdefense
- 守りまもりprotection
- 警備けいびdefense
- 守備しゅびdefense
- ディフェンスdefense (esp. in sports)
- 擁護ようごprotection
- 答弁とうべんresponse
- 弁解べんかいexplanation (e.g. for one's actions)
- 防備ぼうびdefense
- ディフェンドdefence
- 防ぎふせぎdefense
- 保衛ほえいdefense
- 陳弁ちんべんdefense (of oneself)
- 拠守きょしゅdefense
- 申し開きもうしひらきexcuse
- 弁疏べんそexcuse
- うけdefense
- 固めかためdefense
- ＤＦディー・エフdefence
See also
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