Translation guide
The English word 'guardian' can refer to a legal protector of a child or dependent, a protector in a general sense, or a mythological/figurative guardian. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
The person legally responsible for a minor or someone unable to care for themselves.
The standard term for a legal guardian or parent/guardian in official contexts like schools and documents.
保護者の同意が必要です。
A guardian's consent is required.
保護者会があります。
There is a parent-teacher meeting.
A legal term for a guardian appointed by a court, often for adults under guardianship or for minors when parents are absent.
彼は未成年者の後見人に任命された。
He was appointed as the guardian of the minor.
Someone who watches over or protects a person, place, or thing.
A guardian in a protective, often spiritual or figurative sense. Can be used for a guardian angel or protector.
彼は家族の守護者だ。
He is the guardian of the family.
Can also be used in a broader sense for a protector, though it leans toward legal contexts.
自然の保護者として行動する。
Act as a guardian of nature.
The English loanword, used in specific contexts like movie titles, games, or fantasy settings.
A divine or supernatural being that protects a person, place, or concept.
A guardian deity or patron god. Common in mythology and fantasy.
この村の守護神は龍です。
The guardian deity of this village is a dragon.
A protective god or spirit, often used in a more personal or folkloric sense.
A character or creature that guards a specific location or object.
Used for a guardian in RPGs or fantasy stories, like a dungeon guardian.
ダンジョンの守護者を倒した。
We defeated the dungeon guardian.
Literally 'watchman' or 'guard', often used for a person or creature guarding a gate or treasure.
門の番人が私たちを中に入れてくれた。
The gate guardian let us in.
保護者 is the everyday term for a parent or guardian, used in schools and daily life. 後見人 is a formal legal term for a court-appointed guardian, often for adults or in legal documents.
The loanword ガーディアン is only used in entertainment or brand names. For legal guardianship, always use 保護者 or 後見人.
Guardians of the Galaxy
彼は私の守り神のような存在だ。
He is like a guardian angel to me.