Protect meanings in Japanese

保護する (ほごする)

Example:

We need to protect the environment.

私たちは環境を保護する必要があります。

She wants to protect her children from harm.

彼女は子供たちを危害から守りたいと思っています。

Usage: formalContext: Used in discussions about safety, health, and conservation.

Note: This is the most common translation and is used in both formal and informal settings.

守る (まもる)

Example:

He vowed to protect his country.

彼は国を守ると誓った。

You should protect your rights.

自分の権利を守るべきです。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in personal, legal, and national contexts; conveys a sense of duty.

Note: This term emphasizes a sense of duty or commitment to safeguard something.

防ぐ (ふせぐ)

Example:

Measures were taken to protect against fraud.

詐欺を防ぐための対策が講じられた。

They installed a firewall to protect their network.

彼らはネットワークを守るためにファイアウォールを設置した。

Usage: formalContext: Often used in technical or security contexts, such as cybersecurity.

Note: This term is more about preventing negative outcomes rather than just safeguarding.

かばう

Example:

She will always protect her friends.

彼女はいつも友達をかばう。

He felt it was his duty to protect her.

彼は彼女をかばうのが自分の義務だと感じた。

Usage: informalContext: Used in personal relationships, often carries a protective connotation.

Note: This term can imply emotional or physical protection, often in close relationships.

保衛する (ほえいする)

Example:

The army is tasked to protect the borders.

軍は国境を保衛する任務を負っている。

They are trained to protect national security.

彼らは国家の安全を保衛するために訓練されている。

Usage: formalContext: Used in military and governmental contexts.

Note: This term is more specific to defense and security, often used in formal discussions.

shield

To shield means to protect or defend someone or something from danger or harm by acting as a barrier or cover.

Example: The police officer shielded the victim from harm.

Note: Shielding implies physically blocking or covering to provide protection.

guard

To guard means to watch over and protect someone or something from harm or danger, often by keeping a lookout or taking defensive actions.

Example: The security guard was tasked with guarding the valuable artwork.

Note: Guarding involves actively monitoring and defending against potential threats.

defend

To defend means to protect someone or something from harm or attack by providing support, justification, or resistance.

Example: The lawyer will defend his client in court.

Note: Defending often involves a response to an actual or potential threat.

safeguard

To safeguard means to protect or ensure the safety of someone or something by taking preventive measures or precautions.

Example: It's important to safeguard your personal information online.

Note: Safeguarding emphasizes proactive measures to prevent harm or damage.

Keep safe

To ensure the safety and protection of someone or something.

Example: We need to keep the children safe from harm.

Note: Similar to 'protect', but emphasizes the ongoing action of maintaining safety.

Shield from

To provide a protective barrier or cover from something harmful or unpleasant.

Example: The thick walls shielded the city from the storm.

Note: Focuses on the physical act of creating a barrier rather than general protection.

Watch over

To protect, supervise, or care for someone or something.

Example: Grandparents often watch over their grandchildren when their parents are away.

Note: Implies a sense of vigilance and care in protecting someone or something.

Guard against

To take precautions or measures to prevent something harmful from happening.

Example: It's important to guard against identity theft by protecting your personal information.

Note: Emphasizes proactive measures to prevent harm rather than simply protecting.

Safe and sound

To be unharmed, uninjured, or in a secure and protected state.

Example: After the storm, we were relieved to find our house still standing and our pets safe and sound.

Note: Describes the state of being unharmed or secure after protection has been provided.

Defend against

To protect oneself or someone else from harm or danger by fighting back or resisting an attack.

Example: The army was prepared to defend against any enemy attacks.

Note: Involves actively resisting or fighting back against threats rather than solely providing protection.

Look out for

To watch or be vigilant for potential dangers or threats in order to protect oneself or others.

Example: Can you look out for any suspicious activity while I'm away?

Note: Involves actively searching for potential dangers or threats to prevent harm.

Watch someone's back

To watch someone's back means to protect or support someone by being vigilant and making sure they are safe.

Example: Hey, can you watch my back while I make this call?

Note: This phrase implies being alert and attentive to potential dangers or threats specifically for someone else.

Cover for

To cover for someone means to protect or provide an excuse for someone's absence or mistake.

Example: I'll cover for you if you need to take a break.

Note: This term often involves providing a justification or alibi for another person's actions.

Hold down the fort

To hold down the fort means to remain in control and keep things organized or secure while someone is temporarily absent.

Example: I need to leave for a bit, can you hold down the fort until I get back?

Note: This expression carries a sense of maintaining order or stability in a situation, especially in someone's absence.

Keep watch

To keep watch means to stay vigilant and guard a particular area or person to prevent any unwanted intrusion or danger.

Example: We need someone to keep watch on the door while we work on this.

Note: This term emphasizes the act of actively observing and being on alert to ensure safety.

Stand guard

To stand guard means to take a position and watch over a specific area or person in order to protect them from potential threats.

Example: The soldiers will stand guard outside the camp tonight.

Note: This phrase often involves a formal or official duty of protecting a specific location or individual.

Watch the perimeter

To watch the perimeter means to monitor the boundaries or edges of a defined area to prevent unauthorized entry or protect against external threats.

Example: Make sure to watch the perimeter for any suspicious activity.

Note: This term typically relates to a specific boundary or area that needs protection, emphasizing the importance of securing the outer edges.

Keep an eye out

To keep an eye out means to stay alert and watch carefully for any unusual or suspicious activity.

Example: Could you keep an eye out for any unusual behavior?

Note: This expression suggests being observant and attentive to spotting anything out of the ordinary for precautionary measures.

Protect your skin from the sun.

The police are here to protect us.

It's important to protect your personal information online.

Protect - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: protect

Conjugations

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): protected

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): protecting

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): protects

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): protect

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): protect

Syllables, Separation and Stress

protect Contains 2 syllables: pro • tect

Phonetic transcription: prə-ˈtekt

pro tect , prə ˈtekt (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

protect: ~ 1100 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Protect