堡ほう塁るい

also: ほるい

ほ

う

る

い

Meanings

noun

fort; fortress; stronghold

Refers to a military fortification or defensive structure. Often used in historical or military contexts.

この地ち域いきには古ふるい堡ほう塁るいがいくつか残のこっている。
Several old forts remain in this area.
敵てきは堡ほう塁るいを築きずいて攻こう撃げきに備そなえた。
The enemy built a fortification and prepared for the attack.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

堡fort
塁bases, fort, rampart
保protect, guarantee, keep

Related words

要よう塞さい
要塞 is a more common and general term for 'fortress' or 'stronghold', while 堡塁 is a more specific military term for a defensive earthwork or fort.
城しろ
城 refers to a castle, often with residential and administrative functions, whereas 堡塁 is purely a military fortification.

Written forms

堡塁Usage91%
- ほうるい
  Standard kanji spelling for 'fort' or 'fortress'.
- ほるい
  Alternate reading; less common than ほうるい.
保塁Usage9%
irregular kanji usage
- ほうるい
  Irregular kanji usage; 保 is a common substitute but not standard for this word.
- ほるい
  Irregular kanji with alternate reading; very rare.
ほるい

Etymology

The kanji 堡 (fort) and 塁 (rampart) combine to mean a defensive fortification. The reading ほうるい is the standard on'yomi; ほるい is a variant. The irregular form 保塁 uses a common kanji with a similar shape.