守る – 3 Japanese Words for Protect and the Difference between them
3 Japanese words for protect are 守る, 防ぐ, かばう.
These words all translate from English to Japanese as protect but are used differently.
INDEX
守る
守る is the main, or most common word for protect. It means physically protect someone or something.
人を守る
protect a person
身を守る
protect oneself (one’s own body)
It also means protect, follow, observe, or maintain for other intangible situations.
時間を守る
be on time (follow/observe the correct time to do something or be somewhere)
約束を守る
keep a promise
ルールを守る
follow the rules
防ぐ
防ぐ also means to protect. However, it has a meaning closer to preventing something from happening. For example, preventing cold from entering a window by putting up some sort of protection.
寒さを防ぐ
prevent coldness (from coming inside)
自国を侵略から防ぐ
protect one’s country from attack
かばう
かばう is a word for protect also. However, this is used in situations where someone physically protects or guards someone else, or when someone protects someone through verbal defense. Meaning, making excuses or explaining someones actions. It also means to protect or cover something, like an injury.
罪人をかばう
protect/give harbor to a criminal
傷口をかばう
protect one’s wounds
