How to say "protest" in Japanese

• 抗議こうぎJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThe default word for a protest in the sense of expressing strong objection to a decision, action, or policy, whether spoken or formal. Covers most everyday uses of 'protest'.
  私はこれを抗議こうぎと解釈かいしゃくした。↗

  I interpreted this as a protest.
• デモJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'protest' in the sense of a public demonstration or march. A shortened form of デモンストレーション and the usual word for protest rallies and street demonstrations.
  デモに参加さんかしようと思おもう。↗

  I'm going to join a demonstration.
• 異議いぎJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'protest' as a formal objection or dissent raised in a meeting, debate, or legal setting. It is a procedural objection rather than an outward show of protest.
  だからといって異議いぎがあるわけではない。↗

  Not that I have any objection.
• 申し分もうしぶんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounFor 'protest' this is marginal: the word really means a complaint, objection, or fault. It suits mild complaint or fault-finding rather than an act of protest, and is often used in phrases meaning 'no complaint'.
  その人ひとが申し分もうしぶんがないからといって、恋こいに落おちるわけではない。↗

  You don't fall in love with somebody because he's perfect.
• デモンストレーションJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe full form of デモ, used for 'protest' as a public demonstration. In everyday speech デモ is the more natural choice, though this word is also common and slightly more formal.

Use 抗議 for a protest or objection raised against something, 「デモ」 or 「デモンストレーション」 for street demonstrations, 異議 for formal objections in discussion, and 「申し分」 mainly for complaints or fault-finding.

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

• 抗議こうぎprotest
• デモdemonstration
• 異議いぎobjection
• 申し分もうしぶんcomplaint
• デモンストレーションdemonstration
• 抗弁こうべんprotest
• 抗告こうこくappeal
• 不服ふふくdissatisfaction
• プロテストprotest
• 抗言こうげんprotest
• 物申すものもうすto object
• 異議の申立ていぎのもうしたてformal complaint (regarding conduct of a criminal case)
• デモ活動デモかつどうdemonstration
• 示威行為じいこういdemonstration
• 抗議デモこうぎデモprotest demonstration
• 諫めいさめremonstrance
• 叫ぶさけぶto clamor (for or against)
• ねじ込むねじこむto protest (and seek rectification)
• 故障こしょうobjection