Japanese word

防衛

Pronunciation

Romajibōei

Meaning

  • noundefense

Example

防衛について話します。bō ei ni tsu i te hana shi ma su

We talk about defense.

Illustration for 防衛 (defense)

More examples

政府は国の防衛を強化しています。sei fu wa kuni no bō ei o kyō ka shi te i ma su

The government is strengthening the country's defense.

Core concept

Centers on guarding people, places, or things against outside threats or damage.

Common phrases

  • 防衛を強化するbō ei o kyō ka su ru

    strengthen defense

  • 国の防衛kuni no bō ei

    national defense

Similar words

防御bōgyo: The act of stopping an attack or keeping an attacker from causing harm.
警備keibi: The act of guarding people or places against crime, intrusion, or other threats.
保護hogo: The protection of people or things from harm, danger, or loss.

Definition in Japanese

攻撃や危害を加えられないよう、あらかじめ備えて守ること。kō geki ya ki gai o kuwa e ra re na i yō a ra ka ji me sona e te mamo ru ko to

Word origin

防衛 (bōei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 防 (bō, "prevent or ward off") and 衛 (ei, "guard or protect"), meaning protection against attack.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English defense, which also commonly refers to a sports team's play, 防衛 (bōei) mainly concerns protection from attack or harm and has a formal tone.

Other meanings

  • protectionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 防衛力bōeiryokudefensive capabilitynoun
  • 防衛的bōeitekidefensivena-adjective

Word lists with this word