Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 守る | mamoru | [ma̠mo̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) [mo̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 保護する | hogo suru |
The verb 'to protect' can be translated in several ways depending on the context. The general term 守る is used for protecting people, things or abstract concepts like promises and rules. It also carries the meanings 'to keep' or 'to obey'. If you are talking about protecting or caring for someone or something, such as animals, nature or children, 保護する is used. If you are referring to guarding or defending items like documents, artifacts or cultural heritage, the connotation of 護る is more appropriate. The phrase 身を守る is a common idiom meaning 'to protect oneself' or 'to defend oneself' from physical or situational danger.
Which one should you use?
守る is a general-purpose word used for protecting people, things or abstract concepts like rules and it can mean 'to obey' or 'to keep'. In contrast, 保護する is a more formal and technical term used in legal, administrative or environmental contexts, such as protecting data, the environment or children.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of 守る is 守ります. To express the past tense in the plain form, use 守った.
How do you pronounce it?
mamoru
Did you know?
- The kanji 守 is used in the word お守り meaning 'amulet' or 'lucky charm'. These are small fabric bags sold at shrines to provide spiritual protection to the owner.
- While 守る is the general term, the specific character 護 is often used in the word 看護師 meaning 'nurse'. This reflects the idea of protecting and caring for a patient's health.
- The verb 守る is fundamentally linked to the act of seeing, sharing a root with the words for 'eye' 目 and 'to see' 見る.
Examples in context
- 我々は祖国を守る覚悟ができている。We are determined to protect the motherland.This sentence shows the use of 守る regarding a determination to protect a country.Tatoeba #740970 by arihato, translation #890460 by Scott
- 人は、自分を守るために嘘をつくことがあります。Sometimes, people lie to protect themselves.This sentence uses 守る to describe lying for the purpose of protecting oneself.Tatoeba #10219252 by small_snow, translation #10794298 by end
- 私たちは、身を守る方法を子供たちに教えるべきです。We should teach children how to protect themselves.This sentence uses 守る in the idiom 身を守る to discuss teaching children self-defense.Tatoeba #9508608 by bunbuku, translation #7708886 by CK
- 家族を守るProtecting the family
- 環境を保護するTo protect the environment
- 歴史を護るTo protect history
- 友達を守るProtecting a friend
- ペットを護ってやるI'll protect my pet
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are discussing their pets.
- 結衣 Yui大切なペットをしっかり守りたいね。Taisetsu na petto o shikkari mamoritai ne.I want to protect our precious pets properly.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。安全な環境を作ろう。Sou da ne. Anzen na kankyou o tsukurou.You're right. Let's create a safe environment.
- 結衣 Yui健太、一緒に守る方法を考えよう。Kenta, issho ni mamoru houhou o kangaeyou.Kenta, let's think of ways to protect them together.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。すぐに調べよう。Ii yo. Sugu ni shirabeyou.Okay. Let's look it up right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “protect” translations and entries 守る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 守る, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
