護衛|ごえいgoei[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbguard; convoy; escort
   彼かれは多数たすうの護衛ごえいを連つれて旅行りょこうした。↗

   He traveled with a large escort.

• Synonym警護けいごWrittenWritten/formal: guarding VIPs by staying alert, as in 「要人警護」. 「護衛」 is broader — it also covers escorting ship and vehicle convoys.
• SynonymエスコートNeutralLoanword for escorting someone with a courteous, ceremonial feel. 「護衛」 is squarely about keeping someone safe.
• Synonym用心棒ようじんぼうCasualColloquial term for a privately hired bodyguard or hired muscle, with an old-school underworld flavor. 「護衛」 is more formal.
• Synonym守護しゅごWrittenWritten/formal: protection or guardianship; also the shugo military-governor post of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. 「護衛」 stresses escorting a person.
• SynonymガードCasualColloquial loanword for guarding, defence or watching over someone, and also for guardrails. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying.
• Synonym護送ごそうWrittenWritten/formal: escorting someone under guard, e.g. transporting a prisoner or an injured person. 「護衛」 focuses on the person's safety.
• Synonym守るまもるNeutralA verb: to protect someone or something, and also to keep promises or obey rules. 「護衛」 is a noun for guarding by someone's side.
• SynonymボディーガードCasualColloquial loanword for a personal bodyguard, i.e. the person. 「護衛」 refers to the act of guarding or to guards in general.
• Synonym警衛けいえいWrittenWritten/formal: guarding by keeping watch. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying someone.
• Synonym侍衛じえいFormalFormal and mostly historical: bodyguards attending closely on a noble. 「護衛」 is more general and also covers escorting fleets.
• Synonym警固けいごWrittenWritten/formal: staying on alert and guarding a place. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying a person.
• Related付き添いつきそいNeutralAccompanying and looking after someone, such as a patient or child. 「護衛」 is about protecting someone's safety.
• Related防衛ぼうえいWrittenWritten/formal: defending against attack — national defence, or defending a title. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying someone.
• Related警戒けいかいNeutralVigilance and watchfulness against danger, as in 「警戒を強める」. 「護衛」 is about protecting a specific person at their side.
• Related警備けいびNeutralSecurity work such as patrolling and guarding premises. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying someone.
• Related守備しゅびWrittenWritten/formal: defence, mostly in sports and military contexts. 「護衛」 stresses protection while accompanying a person.
• Related防護ぼうごWrittenWritten/formal: protection that keeps harm or disaster from reaching something, as in 「防護服」. 「護衛」 means guarding people by accompanying them.
• Related同伴どうはんNeutralSimply going along with someone, as in 「同伴者」. 「護衛」 is about keeping the person you accompany safe.
• Related用心ようじんNeutralBeing careful and on one's guard, as in 「火の用心」. 「護衛」 is the act of protecting someone by accompanying them.
• Antonym襲撃しゅうげきWrittenWritten/formal antonym: a surprise attack or raid — the opposite of guarding and protecting.
• Antonym攻撃こうげきNeutralAntonym: an active attack, the direct opposite of protecting and guarding.

Use 「護衛」 for guarding a VIP at their side or escorting a fleet or convoy, as in 「護衛艦」. For guarding VIPs by keeping watch, pick 「警護」; for a personal bodyguard, 「ボディーガード」; for security patrols and guarding premises, 「警備」; for escorting a prisoner, 「護送」. The antonyms are 「攻撃」 and 「襲撃」.

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

1. 付き添つきそって守まもること。また、それに就ついている人ひと。