盾たて

た

て

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

shield; buckler

Literal protective shield used in combat or historical contexts.

Figurative use: something used as a cover or justification for an action, often in the phrase 盾に取る (to use as a pretext).

〈物もの〉を盾たてにするto use something as a shield/pretext
彼かれは忙いそがしさを盾たてにして手伝てつだわなかった。
He used his busyness as an excuse not to help.
盾たてを構かまえるto hold up a shield
兵へい士しは盾たてを構かまえて敵てきの攻こう撃げきを防ふせいだ。
The soldier raised his shield to block the enemy's attack.
〈物もの〉を盾たてに〈動どう詞し〉to do something using X as a pretext/cover
彼かれは上じょう司しの権けん威いを盾たてに無む理りな要よう求きゅうをした。
He made unreasonable demands, using his boss's authority as cover.

人にん間げんの盾たてhuman shield
盾たてに取とるuse as a pretext; use as an excuse; use as grounds · use as a shield; hide behind; shelter behind
盾たての両りょう面めんを見みよlook at both sides of the shield; examine a matter from all angles
矢やも盾たてもたまらずunable to stay still; unable to contain one's feelings; unable to restrain oneself

口こう実じつN2sense 2
口実 is a general word for an excuse or pretext, while 盾 (in its figurative sense) specifically evokes using something as a protective cover for one's actions.
シールド
盾 is the native Japanese word for a physical, handheld shield, while シールド is the loanword used more broadly for covers, barriers, and technical shielding.
牌はい
盾 usually means a physical protective shield, while 牌 can describe a shield-shaped emblem or ceremonial plaque without any protective function.

鎧よろい sense 1
鎧 is armor worn on the body, while 盾 is a shield held in the hand to block attacks.

面めんN1
For flat surfaces — mirrors, walls, shields, sports courts.
枚まいN3
For thin, flat things — sheets, plates, boards, and unstructured garments like shirts.

The kanji 盾 is a pictograph of a shield. The reading たて is native Japanese, and the word has been used since Old Japanese.