防御・防禦|ぼうぎょbougyo[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Which spelling to use
防御防御 is the most common written form and the form beginners should use by default.
防禦防禦 is a rarely used kanji variant; learners will seldom need to choose it, but may encounter it in writing.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdefense; defence; safeguard; protection
    その市しの防御ぼうぎょは堅固けんごだ。↗
    The defenses of the city are strong.
Conjugation
Dictionary form防御する(ぼうぎょする)
Polite (masu)防御します(ぼうぎょします)
Negative (nai)防御しない(ぼうぎょしない)
polite (masen)防御しません(ぼうぎょしません)
classical zu / nu防御せず・防御せぬ(ぼうぎょせず・ぼうぎょせぬ)
Past (ta)防御した(ぼうぎょした)
polite (mashita)防御しました(ぼうぎょしました)
Past negative (nakatta)防御しなかった(ぼうぎょしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)防御しませんでした(ぼうぎょしませんでした)
Te form防御して(ぼうぎょして)
Potential防御できる(ぼうぎょできる)
Passive防御される(ぼうぎょされる)
Causative防御させる(ぼうぎょさせる)
Causative passive防御させられる(ぼうぎょさせられる)
Conditional (ba)防御すれば(ぼうぎょすれば)
tara防御したら(ぼうぎょしたら)
Volitional防御しよう(ぼうぎょしよう)
polite (mashou)防御しましょう(ぼうぎょしましょう)
Imperative防御しろ(ぼうぎょしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym防衛ぼうえいWrittenWritten register. Defending the nation or oneself, as in 「防衛省」 or 「正当防衛」; 「防御」 centers on the act and means of warding off attack.
  • Synonym防護ぼうごWrittenWritten register. Protection from harm, as in 「防護服」; the emphasis is on keeping injury at bay.
  • Synonym守備しゅびNeutralGuarding against enemy attack; also fielding in baseball and similar sports.
  • SynonymガードNeutralLoanword for guarding or defense, as in 「ボディーガード」.
  • SynonymディフェンスNeutralLoanword for defense in sports such as soccer and basketball.
  • Synonym守りまもりNeutralCaring for children or a babysitter, as in 「子守」, and guarding generally; 「防御」 is about warding off attack.
  • Synonym守るまもるNeutralEveryday verb for protecting or keeping rules and promises; the most common choice, not limited to warding off attack.
  • Synonym防ぐふせぐNeutralPreventing or warding something off, as in 「病気を防ぐ」.
  • SynonymプロテクションNeutralLoanword for protective measures, mostly in computing and sports protective gear.
  • Related守りもりNeutralCaring for children or a babysitter, as in 「子守」, and guarding generally; 「防御」 is about warding off attack.
  • Related守護しゅごWrittenWritten register. Guardianship, as in 「守護神」; also the military-governor post of the Kamakura and Muromachi eras.
  • Related保護ほごNeutralProtecting the vulnerable or nature; the emphasis is on care and guardianship.
  • Related警備けいびNeutralSecurity and patrols, focused on public order, as in 「警備員」.
  • Related固めかためNeutralMaking something firm, or guarding and escorting; 「防御」 is about warding off attack.
  • Related備えそなえNeutralPreparing in advance against trouble, as in 「備えあれば憂いなし」.
  • RelatedシールドNeutralLoanword for a shield or screening, leaning technical, as in 「シールドトンネル」.
  • RelatedかばうNeutralShielding someone from harm or criticism, as in 「部下を庇う」.
  • Related擁護ようごWrittenWritten register. Upholding rights or defending a person, as in 「人権擁護」.
  • Related防備ぼうびWrittenWritten register. Defensive preparations or fortifications, as in 「防備を固める」.
  • Related遮蔽しゃへいWrittenWritten register. Blocking or screening, as in 「遮蔽物」; the emphasis is on covering something.
  • Related警防けいぼうWrittenWritten and uncommon; guarding against disasters especially.
  • Antonym攻撃こうげきNeutralAntonym. Attack, as in 「攻撃を仕掛ける」; the direct opposite of 「防御」.
  • Antonym進攻しんこうWrittenWritten register. Advancing to attack; a written-style antonym of 「防御」.

Use 「防御」 for the act and means of warding off attack, as in 「防御率」 or 「防御態勢」. For national or personal defense pick 「防衛」, for protection from harm 「防護」, for sports fielding 「守備」 or 「ディフェンス」, for protecting the weak 「保護」, and for everyday protection the verb 「守る」. The opposite of defending is attacking: 「攻撃」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 敵てきの攻撃こうげきを防ぎ守ふせぎまもること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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