How to say "self-defense" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 自衛じえいsuru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThe common, everyday word for self-defense: protecting oneself against attack or harm, physically or figuratively. If you need one word for the basic sense, this is it.
- 自己防衛じこぼうえいnounAlso means self-defense but is less common, with a more abstract or analytical feel, as in psychological self-protection. It is seldom the word you want for ordinary physical self-defense.
Use 自衛 for the ordinary act of defending oneself, whether physically or figuratively; 自己防衛 is a heavier, less common alternative often favored in abstract or psychological contexts.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
