Chinese word

护

Pronunciation

Pinyinhù

Meaning

  • verbprotect

Example

妈妈用手护着孩子。mā mā yòng shǒu hù zhe hái zi

Mother is protecting the child with her hand.

Illustration for 护 (protect)

More examples

法律应当保护消费者的权益。fǎ lǜ yīng dāng bǎo hù xiāo fèi zhě de quán yì

The law should protect consumers' rights and interests.

Core concept

Stands between danger and a person or thing, keeping that person or thing safe.

Common phrases

  • 保护权益bǎo hù quán yì

    protect rights and interests

  • 保护生态bǎo hù shēng tài

    protect the ecosystem

Similar words

保护bǎo hù: Keep a person, thing, or right safe from harm, damage, or loss.
保卫bǎo wèi: Defend a place or country against outside attack or invasion, often with force.
看护kān hù: Stay with a sick person or child, provide care, and keep them safe and healthy.
照顾zhào gù: Look after someone in daily life by giving needed help and keeping them well.

Definition in Chinese

使人或物免遭攻击、伤害或丢失，保持其安全。shǐ rén huò wù miǎn zāo gōng jī shāng hài huò diū shī bǎo chí qí ān quán

Word origin

护 (hù, "protect") is the simplified form of traditional 護 (hù, "protect"), and its hand component 扌 (shǒu, "hand") gives the modern character a visual link to hands-on protection.

Usage tips

  • The aspect marker 着 (zhe, "ongoing action") can follow the verb when the protective action is in progress, whereas English uses a separate form such as "is protecting".

Other meanings

  • guardverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 护卫hù wèiguardnoun
  • 护航hù hángescortverb

Word lists with this word