保身|ほしんhoshin[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounself-protection
   最大限さいだいげんに首相しゅしょうという権力けんりょくを利用りようし、自己じこの保身ほしんの為ために利用りようするキツネのようにずる賢がしこい首相しゅしょうに見みえてくる。↗

   He has come to look like a sly-as-a-fox Premier who uses his position's powers to the fullest extent, to his own advantage.

• Synonym自己保全じこほぜんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Preserving yourself and your interests, in a neutral, academic way; unlike 「保身」 it has no cowardly, self-serving nuance.
• Synonym自己保存じこほぞんWrittenWritten/formal prose. The instinct of living things to preserve their lives, as in 「自己保存本能」.
• Related護身ごしんNeutralNeutral. Protecting yourself from danger, as in 「護身術」; focused on physical safety, not on guarding your position or standing.
• Related自衛じえいNeutralNeutral. Defending yourself against attack or infringement with your own means, as in 「自衛隊」; it carries none of 「保身」's selfish, cowardly tinge.
• Related自己防衛じこぼうえいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Acts of defending your body or property yourself; neutral in tone, without the selfish coloring of 「保身」.
• Antonym献身けんしんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Self-sacrificing devotion to others; the very opposite of 「保身」's looking out for yourself alone.

For protecting yourself from danger, use 「護身」; for defending against attack, 「自衛」. 「保身」 alone is pejorative — guarding your safety or position, as in 「保身に走る」. 「献身」 is its opposite, devotion to others; 「自己保存」 is the written term for the survival instinct.

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

1. 多おおくの場合ばあい、卑怯ひきょうもしくは小心しょうしんな態度たいどをとることで、自分自身じぶんじしんの安全あんぜん、名誉めいよ、地位ちいなどを保たもつこと。