Translation guide
The English word 'defender' can refer to a person who protects something, a sports position, or a legal role. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
Someone who guards, protects, or supports a person, place, idea, etc.
A formal or literary term for a guardian or protector, often used for someone who defends a person, place, or ideal.
彼は弱者の守護者として知られている。
He is known as a defender of the weak.
Someone who advocates for or defends a cause, opinion, or person, often in a public or verbal sense.
彼女は人権の擁護者だ。
She is a defender of human rights.
A defender in a military or physical defense context. Less common in everyday speech.
彼は国の防衛者として戦った。
He fought as a defender of the nation.
A player whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
The most common and direct loanword for 'defender' in sports contexts.
彼はサッカーのディフェンダーです。
He is a soccer defender.
A more general term meaning 'defensive player', used across various sports.
守備選手が相手の攻撃を止めた。
The defender stopped the opponent's attack.
A lawyer who represents the accused in a court of law.
The standard term for a defense attorney or counsel in a legal context.
弁護人が被告のために弁論した。
The defender argued on behalf of the defendant.
More specific: 'lawyer for the defendant's side'. Used when contrasting with the prosecution.
被告側弁護士が証人を尋問した。
The defender cross-examined the witness.
The phrase 'defender of the faith' is a historical title. In Japanese, it is usually rendered as 信仰の擁護者 (しんこうのようごしゃ), but it is rarely used outside historical contexts. Do not use 守護者 for this specific phrase.