How to say "defender" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 弁護人べんごにんnounThe legal sense: the lawyer who represents and defends an accused person in court. When 'defender' means defense counsel, this common word is the one to use.
- ＤＦディー・エフnounThe defender position in soccer and similar team sports, in the abbreviated form DF; typical of lineups, rosters and match reports. A less common word.
- nounThe full katakana loanword: it covers the same sports position as ＤＦ and is also the form used when the English word is borrowed directly. A less common word.
- 防衛者ぼうえいしゃnounOne who defends or guards something, such as a country or homeland — the protective sense of 'defender', not the legal or sports one. It is a less common word.
- 弁護者べんごしゃnounA person who defends or speaks up for someone or something — an advocate of a cause, idea or person — rather than the courtroom lawyer, which is 弁護人. It is a less common word.
Use 弁護人 for a courtroom defense lawyer, ＤＦ or 「ディフェンダー」 for the sports position, 防衛者 for one who protects a country or homeland, and 弁護者 for a person who argues in support of someone or something.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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