防衛|ぼうえいbouei[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbdefense; defence; protection
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 防衛する(ぼうえいする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 防衛します(ぼうえいします) |
| Negative (nai) | 防衛しない(ぼうえいしない) |
| polite (masen) | 防衛しません(ぼうえいしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 防衛せず・防衛せぬ(ぼうえいせず・ぼうえいせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 防衛した(ぼうえいした) |
| polite (mashita) | 防衛しました(ぼうえいしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 防衛しなかった(ぼうえいしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 防衛しませんでした(ぼうえいしませんでした) |
| Te form | 防衛して(ぼうえいして) |
| Potential | 防衛できる(ぼうえいできる) |
| Passive | 防衛される(ぼうえいされる) |
| Causative | 防衛させる(ぼうえいさせる) |
| Causative passive | 防衛させられる(ぼうえいさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 防衛すれば(ぼうえいすれば) |
| tara | 防衛したら(ぼうえいしたら) |
| Volitional | 防衛しよう(ぼうえいしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 防衛しましょう(ぼうえいしましょう) |
| Imperative | 防衛しろ(ぼうえいしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym防御ぼうぎょNeutralResisting an attack, often at the tactical level; 「防衛」 is defending the nation, oneself, or a title.
- Synonym守備しゅびNeutralDefense in a game, such as fielding in baseball; also military guard duty. 「防衛」 covers a wider range.
- Synonym防護ぼうごNeutralPhysical protection, as in 「防護服」; 「防衛」 leans toward military use and defending titles.
- SynonymガードNeutralA loanword for guarding, security work or sports defense, and elevated rail tracks; 「防衛」 is more formal.
- SynonymディフェンスNeutralA loanword for defense in sports; 「防衛」 is more formal and also covers defending a title.
- Synonym守りまもりNeutralA noun for protection or defense; 「防衛」 is more formal.
- Synonym守るまもるNeutralThe everyday verb for protecting or guarding; 「防衛」 is the more formal choice.
- Synonym防ぐふせぐNeutralA verb for preventing or warding something off; 「防衛(する)」 is more formal, mainly for defending the nation or oneself.
- SynonymプロテクションNeutralA loanword for protection, mostly in technical contexts; 「防衛」 centers on fending off attack.
- Related守護しゅごWrittenA written word for protection, with divine or historical overtones; 「防衛」 is modern and military.
- Related警備けいびNeutralSecurity work and patrols, as by a 「警備員」; 「防衛」 is about fending off attack.
- Related保護ほごNeutralProtecting the weak, nature, and the like; 「防衛」 centers on fending off attack.
- Related警戒けいかいNeutralVigilance and staying on guard, as in a 「警戒警報」; 「防衛」 is defense actually carried out.
- Related固めかためNeutralA noun for making something firm or for guarding and escorting; 「防衛」 is more formal and mostly about resisting attack.
- Related警護けいごNeutralGuarding VIPs and important people; 「防衛」 is about fending off attack.
- Related護衛ごえいNeutralEscorting or convoying a person or shipment; 「防衛」 is about resisting attack.
- Related備えそなえNeutralPreparation or readiness made in advance; 「防衛」 stresses the act of resisting.
- Related用心ようじんNeutralBeing careful and wary, as in 「火の用心」; 「防衛」 is about fending off attack.
- Related見守るみまもるNeutralA verb for watching over and looking after someone; 「防衛」 is about fending off attack.
- Related擁護ようごWrittenA written word for upholding or defending a claim or position; 「防衛」 is about fending off attack.
- Related防備ぼうびWrittenA written word for defensive preparations, as in 「防備を固める」; 「防衛」 stresses the act of resisting.
- Antonym攻撃こうげきNeutralAn attack; the direct opposite of the defensive 「防衛」.
Use 「防衛」 for defending the nation, oneself, or a title, as in 「防衛省」「正当防衛」「タイトル防衛」. For tactical defense against an attack pick 「防御」; for defense in a match, 「守備」 or 「ディフェンス」; for security work, 「警備」; for guarding VIPs, 「警護」. For physical protection use 「防護」 or 「保護」, for everyday protecting the verb 「守る」, and for the opposite action 「攻撃」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


