How to say "fortress" in Japanese

• 砦とりでCommon
  nounCovers 'fort' and 'fortress' as a fortified stronghold built for defense, often a smaller or more makeshift fortification than a full castle. Typical for military outposts, mountain forts, and strategic strongholds.
  砦とりでは不意ふいに攻撃こうげきされた。↗

  The fort was attacked by surprise.
• 城郭じょうかくCommon
  nounMatches 'fortress' via 'castle; citadel' — it points to a large, castle-like fortress with surrounding walls and buildings. Choose this when the image is a Japanese castle or a walled citadel rather than a simple fort.
• 塁るいCommon
  nounGlossed as 'fortress; stronghold', but in ordinary usage 塁 more often means ramparts, breastworks, or defensive earthworks, or appears in abstract uses like bases in baseball. For a concrete 'fortress', 砦 or 城郭 is usually the better choice.

Use 砦 for a military stronghold or fortification, 城郭 for a castle-type fortress with walls and structures, and 塁 chiefly in the sense of defensive works or stronghold.

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

• 砦とりでfort
• 城郭じょうかくcastle
• 城塞じょうさいfortress
• フォートレスfortress
• 城塁じょうるいfortress
• 要害ようがいstronghold
• 堡塁ほうるいfort
• 塁るいfortress
• 胸壁きょうへきfortress
• 櫓やぐらyagura