防御
bōgyo[bo̞ːɡʲo̞]
The English word defense is translated into Japanese as 防御 (bōgyo). If unsure, use 防御. Wiktionary also lists 防禦 (bōgyo).
Meaning: action of protecting from attack (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 防御 | bōgyo | [bo̞ːɡʲo̞] (narrow) |
| 防禦 | bōgyo |
防御 refers to the action of protecting from an attack. It is frequently used in technical contexts such as military contexts, sports terminology or computer security (for example, a defense system).
Which one should you use?
防御 is a formal, technical or academic term for defense. In contrast, much more common everyday words like 守る are used for the verb 'to protect'.
How do you pronounce it?
bōgyo
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese martial arts, the concept of 'defense' often merges with 'evasion', meaning one does not 'block' an attack but moves to make it miss.
- When discussing a legal defense in a courtroom, Japanese often uses different terminology like 弁護 (bengo), which focuses on the act of legal advocacy rather than physical protection.
- The character 御 in 防御 is a 'daiyōji', a substitute character used in modern Japanese when the original character, 禦, became too complex to write easily.
Examples in context
- 攻撃は最大の防御。Attack is the best form of defense.This sentence demonstrates the use of 防御 in a proverb about attack and defense.Tatoeba #173582 by small_snow, translation #240888 by CK
- 攻撃は最大の防御なり。The most effective defense is offense.This sentence is another way to express that the most effective defense is offense using the form 防御.Tatoeba #173580 by small_snow, translation #243688 by CK
- 大地震に備えて、建物の 防備 を強化する必要があります。We need to strengthen the defense of buildings in preparation for a major earthquake.
- 彼女は友達をいつも 守り たいと思っています。She always wants to defend her friends.
- あの試合で彼は素晴らしい ガード を見せた。He displayed an excellent defense in that match.
- 夜道では常に 身を守る ために注意が必要です。It's essential to be careful at night to protect yourself.
- チームの防御が非常に固い。chīmu no bogyo ga hijō ni katai.The team's defense is very solid.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
They are playing a video game together.
- 陽葵 Himari今は防御に集中して！Ima wa bōgyo ni shūchū shite!Focus on defense right now!
- 健太 Kentaわかった、盾を使うよ。Wakatta, tate o tsukau yo.Got it, I'll use the shield.
- 陽葵 Himariいい防御だったね。Ii bōgyo datta ne.That was a good defense.
- 健太 Kentaこれで勝てるぞ！Kore de kateru zo!We can win now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “defense” translations and entries 防御, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 防御, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
