proteger
/pɾoteˈxeɾ/
To protect in Spanish is said as proteger. Wiktionary also lists defensar and captener.
Meaning: to keep safe (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| proteger | /pɾoteˈxeɾ/ |
| defensar | /defenˈsaɾ/ |
| captener | /kabteneɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb proteger means to keep safe.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present indicative tense, the first-person singular form is protejo (I protect), the second-person singular form is proteges (you protect) and the first-person plural form is protegemos (we protect).
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoteˈxeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use defender when they mean proteger. While defender means to defend against an attack, proteger is the more general term for keeping something safe from harm.
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the word amparo as a noun for 'protection' when referring to a specific legal appeal for the protection of constitutional rights.
- The Latin root of proteger, protegere, combines 'pro-' (in front) and 'tegere' (to cover), literally meaning 'to cover in front'.
- The verb defender is often used in sports to describe a player's position, whereas proteger would never be used in a sports tactical sense.
Examples in context
- Quiero proteger a Tom.I want to protect Tom.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to protect a person using proteger.Tatoeba #2102146 by marcelostockle, translation #2011678 by CK
- Te protegeré del peligro.I will protect you from danger.This sentence is useful for expressing a future promise to protect someone from danger using proteger.Tatoeba #2068538 by marcelostockle, translation #252900 by CK
- No puedo protegerte aquí.I can't protect you here.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to protect someone in a specific location using proteger.Tatoeba #4594477 by Shishir, translation #1954703 by CK
- Es nuestro deber proteger el medio ambiente.It is our duty to protect the environment.
- Protejo mis intereses y mi patrimonio.I protect my interests and my assets.
- Cuidamos la privacidad de nuestros clientes.We protect our customers' privacy.
- Es importante cuidar la integridad de los datos.It is important to protect the integrity of the data.
- Cuídemonos del sol usando protector solar.Let's protect ourselves from the sun by using sunscreen.
- La familia siempre me ha amparado en momentos difíciles.My family has always protected me in difficult times.
- Como amigos, debemos ampararnos mutuamente.As friends, we should protect each other.
- Debemos resguardar nuestros derechos humanos.We must protect our human rights.
- Resguardo mi información personal en un lugar seguro.I protect my personal information in a secure place.
- No te preocupes, siempre cuidaré tu espalda.Don't worry, I'll always protect/watch your back.
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking about a new phone case.
- AlejandroNecesito proteger mi teléfono nuevo.I need to protect my new phone.
- ElenaEsa funda lo puede proteger bien.That case can protect it well.
- Alejandro¿Crees que sirve para proteger la pantalla?Do you think it works to protect the screen?
- ElenaSí, ayuda a proteger todo el móvil.Yes, it helps to protect the whole mobile.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “protect” translations and entries proteger, defensar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries defensar, proteger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
