Translation guide
The act of protecting oneself from harm, danger, or unwanted situations. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns and verbs depending on the context, such as physical self-defense, legal self-preservation, or emotional self-protection.
Protecting oneself from physical attack or harm, often in a martial arts or personal safety context.
The most common and direct term for self-defense, especially in the context of martial arts or personal safety.
護身術を習っています。
I'm learning self-defense techniques.
夜道では護身用に防犯ブザーを持ち歩いています。
I carry a personal alarm for self-protection when walking at night.
A more formal term for self-defense, often used in legal or military contexts.
自己防衛のために護身術を学ぶ人が増えている。
More people are learning self-defense for self-protection.
A common verb phrase meaning 'to protect oneself', used in everyday situations.
危険から身を守る方法を知っておくべきだ。
You should know how to protect yourself from danger.
Legal term for 'self-defense' as a justification in criminal law.
彼の行為は正当防衛と認められた。
His actions were recognized as self-defense.
Acting to safeguard one's own interests, reputation, or emotional state, often in social or professional contexts.
Refers to self-preservation or protecting one's own position, often with a slightly negative nuance of selfishness.
Often carries a negative connotation of prioritizing oneself over others or the group.
彼は自己保身のために嘘をついた。
He lied for self-protection.
政治家の自己保身ばかりの行動に失望した。
I was disappointed by the politician's actions, which were all about self-preservation.
A formal phrase meaning to ensure one's own safety, used in serious contexts.
彼は身の安全を図るために国外に逃れた。
He fled abroad for his own protection.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to protect oneself', applicable to emotional or social situations.
時には自分を守るためにノーと言うことも大切だ。
Sometimes it's important to say no to protect yourself.
Guarding one's emotions or mental health, often by setting boundaries or avoiding vulnerability.
Literally 'protect one's heart/mind', used for emotional self-protection.
傷つかないように心を守ることは自然な反応だ。
It's a natural reaction to protect your heart so you don't get hurt.
Psychological term for 'self-defense instinct', often used in discussions of human behavior.
自己防衛本能が働いて、彼はその場から逃げ出した。
His self-protection instinct kicked in and he ran away from the scene.
護身 (ごしん) is the most common term for physical self-defense, especially in everyday contexts like martial arts or personal safety. 自己防衛 (じこぼうえい) is more formal and often used in legal, military, or abstract discussions. For general 'self-protection', 護身 is usually the best choice.
Directly translating 'self-protection' as 自己保護 (じこほご) is not natural Japanese. Use the appropriate term based on context: 護身 for physical defense, 自己保身 for self-preservation, or phrases like 身を守る for general protection.