Skip to content
Kotomora

護

safeguard, protect

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 500Strokes20

Readings

On'yomi

  • ゴ

Kun'yomi

  • まも.る

Nanori

  • もり

Meaning

護 centers on actively shielding someone or something from harm: safeguarding, protecting, or keeping safe.

Most common words using 護

22 of 450
  • 保護ほご
    N2

    protection; safeguard; guardianship; custody; patronage

  • 弁護士べんごし
    N4

    lawyer; attorney

  • 看護かんご
    N1

    nursing; (army) nurse

  • 介護かいご
    N2

    nursing; care; caregiving; caring

  • 護衛ごえい
    N1

    guard; convoy; escort

  • 弁護べんご
    N1

    defense; defence; pleading; advocacy

  • 擁護ようご
    N1

    protection; defence; support; safeguarding; championship; vindication

  • 援護えんご

    support; help; backing

  • 防護ぼうご

    protection

  • 警護けいご

    bodyguard; escort

  • 養護ようご
    N1

    nursing; (protective) care

  • 愛護あいご

    protection; tender care

  • 護送ごそう

    escort (e.g. under guard); convoy

  • 護憲ごけん

    protecting the constitution

  • 護国ごこく

    defense of one's country; defence of one's country

  • 護岸ごがん

    river dike

  • 看護婦かんごふ
    N4

    (female) nurse

  • 保護者ほごしゃ
    N1

    guardian; protector; patron; parent

  • 弁護人べんごにん

    counsel; defender; advocate

  • 看護師かんごし
    N4

    (hospital) nurse; registered nurse; RN

  • 環境保護かんきょうほご
    N2

    environmental protection

  • 人権擁護じんけんようご

    protection of human rights

Explore all words using 護 →

Study

Etymology

護 combines 言 (words, speech) with 蒦, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of guarding or capturing. Together they suggest protecting through verbal or authoritative means.

Meaning mnemonic

Words (言) on the left and a guard-like shape (蒦) on the right: imagine a bodyguard using firm words to shield someone from danger.

Reading mnemonic

For ゴ, picture a guard saying 'Go!' to keep people away from the protected person: Go -> ゴ, and the guard's command safeguards them.