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護照 (ごしょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

護ご照しょう

ご

しょ

う

Meanings

1

noun

Chinese passport

Refers specifically to a passport issued by China (People's Republic of China). Not used for Japanese passports.

中ちゅう国ごくへ行いくには護ご照しょうが必ひつ要ようです。
You need a Chinese passport to go to China.

Kanji

護safeguard, protect
照illuminate, shine, compare

Similar words

パスポート
The standard Japanese word for 'passport' in general, including Japanese passports. 護照 is limited to Chinese passports.
旅りょ券けん
Formal Japanese term for 'passport', used in official contexts. 護照 is not used for Japanese passports.

Etymology

Borrowed from Chinese 護照／护照 (hùzhào, 'passport'). The kanji 護 (protect) and 照 (permit, illuminate) reflect the document's function.