Translation guide
The English word "protection" covers a wide range of situations, from physical safety and legal safeguards to environmental conservation and digital security. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being protected and from what. This guide organizes the most useful expressions by context.
Keeping a person, animal, or object safe from physical threats like violence, accidents, or natural forces.
The most general word for protection, often used for protecting people, animals, or things. It implies a sense of guardianship or sheltering. Common in legal, social, and everyday contexts.
The protection of children is society's responsibility.
I participate in protection activities for endangered species.
Emphasizes defense against external threats, often used for physical barriers or protective gear. More concrete than 保護.
A native Japanese word meaning protection or defense, often with a nuance of guarding or keeping safe. Used in everyday speech and compound words.
Defense or protection, often used in military, sports, or gaming contexts. Implies active resistance against an attack.
Safeguarding rights, privacy, or interests through laws, rules, or systems.
Again the most common term, used for legal protection of rights, consumers, data, etc.
Preserving nature, ecosystems, or resources from harm or depletion.
Used for environmental protection in general, often in compound words like 環境保護 (environmental protection).
Shielding from rain, wind, sun, cold, etc.
A verb meaning to defend against or prevent something undesirable. Often used with specific elements like 雨 (rain) or 風 (wind).
Protecting oneself from physical harm or attack.
Specifically refers to self-protection or self-defense. Common in phrases like 護身術 (self-defense techniques).
Illegal payment demanded in exchange for protection from harm, often by gangs.
保護 (ほご) is the broadest term for protection, often implying care or guardianship. 防護 (ぼうご) focuses on physical defense against external threats, like protective gear. 防御 (ぼうぎょ) is active defense against an attack, common in military or sports.
In contexts like 'protection from rain' or 'self-protection', using 保護 can sound unnatural. Use more specific verbs like 防ぐ (ふせぐ) or nouns like 護身 (ごしん).
We work wearing protective clothing.
家族の守りが私の役目です。
Protecting my family is my duty.
The castle walls defended the town from enemy attacks.
個人情報の保護が重要です。
The protection of personal information is important.
The consumer protection law was revised.
Protection in the sense of advocacy or defending someone's rights or interests, often used in legal or political contexts.
Fight for the protection of human rights.
環境保護は急務です。
Environmental protection is an urgent task.
Emphasizes maintenance and preservation of the current state, often used for ecosystems, biodiversity, or cultural properties.
Strive for the protection of the ecosystem.
This jacket protects against rain.
To endure or protect oneself from harsh weather, often implying temporary shelter.
We took shelter from the rain under the eaves.
Carry a spray for self-protection.
Self-defense, often used in legal or psychological contexts.
Acted in self-defense.
The standard term for protection money paid to yakuza or gangs.
That shop pays protection money.
Literally 'bodyguard fee', also used for protection money.
They demanded protection money.