Translation guide
The English verb 'protect' covers a wide range of situations, from physical defense to safeguarding abstract things like rights or the environment. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being protected and from what kind of harm. This guide organizes the most common and natural ways to express these ideas.
To guard a person, place, or thing from physical harm, attack, or danger.
The most general and common verb for protecting or defending someone or something. It can be used for physical protection, as well as for upholding rules, promises, or traditions.
彼は家族を危険から守った。
He protected his family from danger.
警察が市民を守る。
The police protect the citizens.
A variant kanji for 守る, often used in formal or literary contexts, especially for protecting something precious or sacred. The meaning is essentially the same, but this kanji can add a nuance of 'safeguarding' or 'cherishing'.
国を護るために戦う。
Fight to protect the country.
Means 'to prevent' or 'to defend against' something bad from happening. It focuses on stopping an attack, disaster, or negative outcome before it occurs.
日焼け止めが肌を紫外線から防ぐ。
Sunscreen protects the skin from UV rays.
敵の攻撃を防ぐ。
Defend against enemy attacks.
A formal term meaning 'to protect' or 'to give protection', often used in legal, social, or institutional contexts, such as protecting children, wildlife, or rights.
絶滅危惧種を保護する法律。
Laws that protect endangered species.
児童を虐待から保護する。
Protect children from abuse.
Loanword from English 'guard', used in sports or casual contexts for physically guarding or shielding someone or something.
ボクサーが顔をガードする。
The boxer guards his face.
To safeguard non-physical things like rights, privacy, the environment, or one's interests.
Again the most versatile verb. It can be used for abstract protection like keeping promises, protecting rights, or preserving nature.
私たちは自然環境を守らなければならない。
We must protect the natural environment.
消費者の権利を守る。
Protect consumer rights.
Used for formal or legal protection of rights, data, or the environment.
個人情報を保護する。
Protect personal information.
Means to defend or champion someone's rights, opinions, or position, often in a debate or legal setting.
人権を擁護する団体。
An organization that defends human rights.
To look after someone's well-being, often with a nuance of caring or shielding from emotional or physical harm.
To shield or protect someone from blame, criticism, or physical harm, often by putting oneself at risk. It implies a personal, sometimes self-sacrificing, act of protection.
彼は友達をかばってけがをした。
He got injured while protecting his friend.
母親は子供をかばった。
The mother shielded her child.
General protection, including emotional or physical care.
Kanji variant of かばう, often used in written language with the same meaning of shielding or covering for someone.
To secure digital information or systems from unauthorized access or damage.
Standard term for data protection, cybersecurity, etc.
パスワードでアカウントを保護する。
Protect your account with a password.
Can be used in everyday contexts for protecting digital privacy or security.
オンラインで個人情報を守る方法。
How to protect personal information online.
A phrase meaning 'to ensure security', often used in IT contexts.
システムのセキュリティを確保する。
Ensure the security of the system.
To defend oneself from physical attack or harm.
The most common way to say 'protect oneself' or 'self-defense'. Literally 'protect one's body'.
護身術で身を守る。
Protect oneself with self-defense techniques.
彼はとっさに身を守った。
He instantly protected himself.
Formal term for self-defense, often used in military or legal contexts.
自衛のために武器を持つ。
Carry a weapon for self-protection.
Means 'to defend', often used for national defense or in sports.
国を防衛する。
Defend the country.
守る (mamoru) is the most general and can be used for physical, abstract, and emotional protection. 防ぐ (fusegu) focuses on preventing something bad from happening, like an attack or disaster. 保護する (hogo suru) is formal and often used in legal, social, or institutional contexts, such as protecting children, wildlife, or data.
Avoid directly translating 'protect' as プロテクトする (purotekuto suru) in most contexts. While it is used in some technical fields (e.g., 'write-protect'), it is not natural for general protection. Use the verbs above instead.
環境を守らなければならない。
We need to protect the environment.
守る works perfectly for abstract protection like the environment.
この日焼け止めは肌を紫外線から守ります。
This sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays.
守る is natural here; 防ぐ could also be used.
He always protects his younger sister.
Cover for the boss's mistake.