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保護国 (hogokoku) Japanese meaning: protectorate | Kotomora

保ほ護ご国こく

ほ

ご

こ

く

Meanings

1

A state that is controlled and protected by another.

この島しまはかつてイギリスの保ほ護ご国こくだった。
This island was once a British protectorate.

Kanji

保protect, guarantee, keep
護safeguard, protect
国country

Don't confuse with

護ご国こく
保護国 means 'protectorate' (a state under another's protection), while 護国 means 'defending one's own country'; the shared kanji can mislead learners.

Word family

被ひ保ほ護ご国こく
protectorate; dependency; dependent state

Etymology

Compound of 保護 (protection) and 国 (country).