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.
I'm learning self-defense techniques.
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.
More people are learning self-defense for self-protection.
A common verb phrase meaning 'to protect oneself', used in everyday situations.
You should know how to protect yourself from danger.
Legal term for 'self-defense' as a justification in criminal law.
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.
He lied for self-protection.
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.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to protect oneself', applicable to emotional or social situations.
Guarding one's emotions or mental health, often by setting boundaries or avoiding vulnerability.
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.
He fled abroad for his own protection.
Sometimes it's important to say no to protect yourself.
His self-protection instinct kicked in and he ran away from the scene.