盾
[ta̠te̞]
The Japanese word for "tate" is 盾, which means a handheld piece of armor used to block attacks.
Did you know?
- In historical Japanese warfare, the tate was not always a handheld shield but could be a large, freestanding wooden board used as a portable wall.
- In modern Japanese, 盾 is used metaphorically in the expression 盾にする to describe using another person as a 'human shield' to avoid responsibility.
- The word 盾 is actually a verbal noun derived from the verb 立てる (tateru), which means 'to stand' or 'to set up'.
Examples in context
- 家を建てます。I build a house.
- ビルが建てられました。The building was built.
- 大きな盾を持って戦います。Ookina tate o motte tatakaimasu.I fight holding a large shield.
- この盾はとても重いです。Kono tate wa totemo omoi desu.This shield is very heavy.
- 盾で攻撃を防ぎましょう。Tate de kougeki o fusegimashou.Let's block the attack with a shield.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a fantasy video game together.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔：陽葵、盾を使って守って！Himaru, tate o tsukatte mamotte!Himari, use your shield to protect me!
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：わかった、今行くよ！Wakatta, ima iku yo!Got it, I'm coming now!
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔：その盾は強力だね。Sono tate wa kyouryoku da ne.That shield of yours is powerful.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：でしょ？さっき拾ったんだ。Desho? Sakki hirottanda.Right? I picked it up a moment ago.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 盾, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 盾, CC BY-SA 4.0.
