Translation guide
The act of stopping something from happening, especially something bad. In Japanese, the most common word is 防止 (boushi), but other words like 予防 (yobou) and 阻止 (soshi) are used depending on what is being prevented.
To express the idea of preventing accidents, crimes, problems, etc. in a broad sense.
The most general and common word for 'prevention'. Used for a wide range of things like accidents, crimes, pollution, etc. Often used in compound nouns.
We strive to prevent accidents.
We take measures for crime prevention.
Specifically used for preventing diseases, disasters, or problems through proactive measures. Often implies medical or health-related prevention, like vaccines or checkups.
Get a flu shot (preventive vaccination).
We strive for fire prevention.
Means 'prevention' in the sense of stopping something from happening by force or active intervention. Often used for stopping actions, plans, or events.
Prevent terrorism before it happens.
We prevented his plan.
Deterrence; preventing something by discouraging or restraining. Often used in contexts like crime deterrence or nuclear deterrence.
It has a crime deterrent effect.
Specifically talking about preventing illness, infection, or medical conditions.
Stopping accidents, fires, natural disasters, etc.
Stopping crime, terrorism, fraud, etc.
防止 (boushi) is the most general 'prevention'. 予防 (yobou) is for proactive prevention, especially health-related. 阻止 (soshi) is for actively stopping something from happening, often with force or intervention.
予防 is mainly for health, disease, and disaster prevention. Using it for crime or accident prevention can sound unnatural; use 防止 instead.
生活習慣病の予防。
Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.
Wear a mask to prevent infection.
防災訓練に参加する。
Participate in a disaster prevention drill.
地域の防犯活動に参加する。
Participate in local crime prevention activities.