How to say "escort" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 見送るみおくるgodan verb, transitive verbCovers the everyday sense of escorting someone as they leave: walking a guest to the door or seeing a friend off at the station. It is about the parting, not about protection.
- 護衛ごえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe protective sense: guarding or escorting a person to keep them safe, as bodyguards do with a VIP. It focuses on defense against danger rather than courtesy or farewell.
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe loanword for the social, courteous sense: politely accompanying someone, as when a man escorts a woman to a party or dance. It sounds polished and gallant.
- 護送ごそうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe custodial sense: escorting or convoying someone in custody, such as the police transporting a suspect under guard. For ordinary accompaniment this is not the word you want.
- 送り届けるおくりとどけるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers escorting someone all the way to their destination and making sure they arrive safely, as in seeing a friend home; it also means delivering a thing to a recipient.
Choose 「見送る」 for seeing someone off, 「送り届ける」 for accompanying them to their destination, 「エスコート」 for courteous social accompaniment, 護衛 for protective guarding, and 護送 for custodial transport under guard.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 見送るみおくるto see (someone) off
- 護衛ごえいguard
- エスコートescort
- 護送ごそうescort (e.g. under guard)
- 送り届けるおくりとどけるto send (a person or thing) to
- 警護けいごbodyguard
- 付き添うつきそうto attend on
- 随身ずいじんbodyguard (of a noble or high-ranking official)
- お付きおつきretainer
- 警衛けいえいguard
- 同行者どうこうしゃcompanion
- 押送おうそうtransferring (a convict to a different prison)
- 付き添い者つきそいしゃchaperon
- 送るおくるto see (someone) off
- 付き添いつきそいattendant
See also
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