保護|ほごhogo[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbprotection; safeguard; guardianship; custody; patronage
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbpreservation; conservation
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 保護する（ほごする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 保護します（ほごします） |
| Negative (nai) | 保護しない（ほごしない） |
| polite (masen) | 保護しません（ほごしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 保護せず・保護せぬ（ほごせず・ほごせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 保護した（ほごした） |
| polite (mashita) | 保護しました（ほごしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 保護しなかった（ほごしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 保護しませんでした（ほごしませんでした） |
| Te form | 保護して（ほごして） |
| Potential | 保護できる（ほごできる） |
| Passive | 保護される（ほごされる） |
| Causative | 保護させる（ほごさせる） |
| Causative passive | 保護させられる（ほごさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 保護すれば（ほごすれば） |
| tara | 保護したら（ほごしたら） |
| Volitional | 保護しよう（ほごしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 保護しましょう（ほごしましょう） |
| Imperative | 保護しろ（ほごしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym守護しゅごWrittenWritten register: guarding or divine protection, with religious or historical overtones as in 「守護神」; 「保護」 broadly covers keeping people, nature, or data from harm.
- Synonym守りまもりNeutralGuarding or defense, and also an amulet or charm; 「保護」 is the more formal term, as in 「自然保護」.
- Synonym守るまもるNeutralThe everyday verb for protecting, also used for keeping promises or obeying rules; 「保護」 sounds more formal.
- Synonym擁護ようごWrittenWritten-style word for upholding or defending rights, claims, or positions; 「保護」 stresses caring for the protected party.
- Synonym防護ぼうごNeutralPhysical protection, as in 「防護服」 (protective clothing); 「保護」 covers a much wider range.
- SynonymプロテクションNeutralLoanword for protection, used in technical or sporting contexts; in everyday speech 「保護」 is the normal word.
- SynonymプロテクトNeutralLoanword used mainly in IT for copy or write protection of data and software; 「保護」 is far broader in scope.
- Related防御ぼうぎょNeutralDefense against incoming attack, common in military or sports talk; 「保護」 centers on keeping the protected person or thing from harm.
- Related保全ほぜんWrittenWritten-style word for keeping something intact and undamaged, as in 「環境保全」; 「保護」 stresses caring for the protected party.
- Related保存ほぞんNeutralPreservation or storage, e.g. saving files or keeping cultural properties; 「保護」 is about preventing harm rather than keeping things as they are.
- Related防衛ぼうえいNeutralNational defense or defending a title; 「保護」 is about shielding people, nature, or cultural properties from harm.
- Related救済きゅうさいWrittenWritten-style word for relieving the poor or disaster victims and lifting them out of hardship; 「保護」 is about keeping someone from harm.
- Related救助きゅうじょNeutralRescuing someone from immediate danger; 「保護」 is about ongoing care and watching over, as in 「迷子を保護する」.
- Related保管ほかんNeutralSafekeeping and managing items, one's own or another's, as in 「貴重品を保管する」; 「保護」 is about preventing damage or injury.
- Related防ぐふせぐNeutralA verb meaning to prevent or ward off something undesirable; 「保護」 is a noun (with する) centered on caring for someone or something.
- Related防ぎふせぎNeutralNoun form of 「防ぐ」, for defense and prevention; 「保護」 centers on caring for the vulnerable.
- Antonym虐待ぎゃくたいNeutralAbuse or ill-treatment; the opposite of the caring, protective sense of 「保護」.
- Antonym破壊はかいNeutralDestruction, the direct opposite of 「保護」, as in 「環境破壊」.
Use 「保護」 for protecting the weak, nature, or cultural properties, or taking a lost child into care, as in 「自然保護」 and 「保護者」. In everyday speech the verb is 「守る」. Choose 「保全」 for keeping something intact, 「保存」 for saving or storing, 「防護」 for physical protection, 「防御」 or 「防衛」 for defense against attack, 「救助」 for pulling someone out of danger, and 「擁護」 for defending rights or positions; 「破壊」 is the opposite, destruction.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
