Translation guide
The concept of protecting and preserving natural resources, environments, or cultural heritage. Japanese expresses this through specific terms depending on what is being conserved.
environmental conservation
wildlife conservation
The protection and preservation of natural environments, wildlife, and ecosystems.
The most common and direct term for environmental protection/conservation. Used in general contexts, policies, and everyday speech.
Environmental conservation is a global issue.
Specifically refers to nature conservation, often used for wildlife, forests, and natural landscapes.
A more formal term for conservation/preservation, often used in technical, legal, or ecological contexts (e.g., biodiversity conservation).
Short for 'ecological' or 'eco-friendly'. Used in casual contexts or as a prefix (e.g., エコ活動). Not a direct translation but conveys a conservation-minded lifestyle.
Saving or using less energy, water, or other resources.
Preserving cultural heritage, historical buildings, or traditions.
Preservation/conservation of tangible or intangible cultural assets. Used for buildings, documents, traditions, etc.
Protecting endangered species or wildlife populations.
保護 (ほご) means protection, often with active measures. 保存 (ほぞん) means preservation, keeping something in its current state. 保全 (ほぜん) is a formal term for conservation/maintenance of ecosystems or resources. For environmental contexts, 環境保護 is most common; for cultural assets, 保存 is typical; for biodiversity, 保全 is often used.
When talking about saving resources like electricity, water, or gas, use 節約 (せつやく) or specific compounds like 節電 (せつでん), 節水 (せっすい). 省エネ is the go-to term for energy conservation in daily life.
彼女は環境保護団体で働いています。
She works for an environmental conservation organization.
This area is designated as a nature conservation area.
生物多様性の保全が急務です。
Conservation of biodiversity is an urgent task.
I go shopping with an eco-bag.
General term for saving or economizing. Used for money, energy, water, etc. Often combined with a resource (e.g., 節電 for electricity saving).
Let's cooperate in conserving electricity in the summer.
Please try to conserve water.
Abbreviation of 省エネルギー (energy conservation). Very common in daily life, product labels, and campaigns.
Choose energy-conserving appliances.
This shrine is conserved as an important cultural property.
Protection/conservation, also used for cultural heritage, but broader than 保存. Implies active safeguarding.
Conservation of traditional crafts is necessary.
Participate in conservation activities for endangered species.
Used for wildlife protection/conservation, often in compound words like 野生生物保護 (wildlife conservation).
A law for wildlife conservation was enacted.