How to say "self-defence" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 自衛じえいsuru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThe general word for self-defence as the act of defending oneself against attack; it also has figurative uses for protecting one's own interests, so it covers both physical and non-physical senses.
- 護身ごしんnounSelf-defence as self-protection: guarding one's own body and personal safety from harm. It is the word most at home in martial-arts and personal-safety contexts, often with reference to protective techniques.
Both translate 'self-defence', but 自衛 is the general term for defending oneself against attack, literal or figurative, while 護身 stresses self-protection—guarding one's own body and safety—and is especially at home in martial-arts and personal-safety contexts.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
