Japanese word

守る

Pronunciation

Romajimamoru

Meaning

  • verbprotect

Example

家族を守ります。ka zoku o mamo ri ma su

I protect my family.

Illustration for 守る (protect)

More examples

お母さんは子どもを守ります。o haha sa n wa ko do mo o mamo ri ma su

Mother protects the child.

大切な本を雨から守ります。tai setsu na hon o ame ka ra mamo ri ma su

I protect an important book from the rain.

Core concept

Centers on keeping a person or thing safe from harm or danger.

Common phrases

  • 約束を守るyaku soku o mamo ru

    keep a promise

  • ルールを守るrū ru o mamo ru

    follow the rules

  • 家族を守るka zoku o mamo ru

    protect one's family

  • 身を守るmi o mamo ru

    protect oneself

  • 秘密を守るhi mitsu o mamo ru

    keep a secret

Similar words

防ぐfusegu: To stop harm, danger, or trouble from occurring.
かばうkabau: To protect a person from harm, blame, or criticism.
保護するhogosuru: To keep a person, animal, or thing safe through formal care or planned measures.

Definition in Japanese

危険や害から人や物を無事に保つ。ki ken ya gai ka ra hito ya mono o bu ji ni tamo tsu

Word origin

守る (mamoru, "to protect") is a native Japanese verb, while its related noun 守り (mamori, "protection") is formed from the verb stem; its older origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 守る (mamoru) also applies to obeying rules and keeping promises, not only to protecting people or things.

Other meanings

  • defendverb
  • guardverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word