砦とりで

と

り

で

Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

Refers to a defensive military structure, often a small fort or stronghold. Can also be used metaphorically for a stronghold or bastion of an idea or movement.

山やまの上うえに古ふるい砦とりでの跡あとが残のこっている。
The ruins of an old fort remain on top of the mountain.
その地ち域いきは反はん政せい府ふ勢せい力りょくの最さい後ごの砦とりでとなった。
That area became the last stronghold of the rebel forces.

See all 12 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉に砦とりでを築きずくto build a fort at a place
兵へい士したちは山やまの上うえに砦とりでを築きずいた。
The soldiers built a fort on top of the mountain.
砦とりでを守まもるto defend a fort
少しょう数すうの兵へいが最さい後ごまで砦とりでを守まもり続つづけた。
A small number of soldiers kept defending the fort until the end.
〈事こと〉最さい後ごの砦とりでthe last stronghold/bastion of something
その病びょう院いんは地ち域いき医い療りょう最さい後ごの砦とりでと言いわれている。
That hospital is called the last bastion of regional healthcare.

Expressions

砦とりでを落おとすcapture a fort; take a fortress

Kanji

砦fort, stronghold, entrenchments
塁bases, fort, rampart
寨fort

Related words

城しろN3
城 is a large castle with extensive walls, towers, and living quarters, while 砦 is a smaller, purely defensive fort or stronghold.
要よう塞さい
要塞 is a formal, heavily fortified military fortress, whereas 砦 can be a smaller fort and is also used more loosely, including metaphorically.
拠きょ点てん
拠点 means a base or hub of operations with no military connotation, while 砦 keeps a fortress-like image even when used metaphorically for a stronghold of ideas.

Written forms

砦とりでUsage86%
Standard kanji form; common in news and modern writing.
とりでUsage14%
塁とりで
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; may appear in historical or literary contexts.
寨とりで
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; may appear in historical or literary contexts.

Etymology

The kanji 砦 is a kokuji (Japanese-created character) combining 石 (stone) and 此 (this), suggesting a stone structure. The reading とりで is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 取り出 (とりで) meaning 'take out' or 'defend'.