How to say "defense" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 防御ぼうぎょnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDefense as warding off attack or harm in general, from enemy assault to disease; it also carries the nuance of protection and safeguarding.
- 防衛ぼうえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDefense against outside attack, especially the defense of a nation: this is the word for national defense and for protecting a country or organization from external threats.
- 弁護べんごnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe legal sense: defending an accused person in court, pleading or arguing on their behalf; it also covers speaking up in defense of a person or their actions.
- 警備けいびnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDefense in the sense of guarding and security: policing a building, event, or area to keep it safe. It is the word for 'defense' as security work, not for military or legal defense.
- 守備しゅびsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveDefense in sports and games: the defensive side of play, such as fielding in baseball or defending one's goal. It can also mean the guarding of a position or place.
Pick by sense: 防御 for warding off attack or harm in general, 防衛 for defending a country against outside threats, 弁護 for legal defense, 警備 for security guarding, and 守備 for defense in sports and games.
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
- 警備けいびdefense
- 守備しゅびdefense
- ディフェンスdefense (esp. in sports)
- 守りまもり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
- 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
- 被告側ひこくがわ(the) defense
- 弁疏べんそexcuse
- 擁護論ようごろんchampionship
- ディフェンドdefence
- 申し開きもうしひらきexcuse
- うけdefense
- 固めかためdefense
- ＤＦディー・エフdefence
- 抑えおさえdefense
See also
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