Chinese word

自卫

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì wèi

Meaning

  • verbdefend oneself

Example

她被推搡时本能地自卫。tā bèi tuī sǎng shí běn néng dì zì wèi

She instinctively defended herself when she was jostled.

Illustration for 自卫 (defend oneself)

More examples

法律在某些情况下承认公民的自卫行为，但必须在合理限度内。fǎ lǜ zài mǒu xiē qíng kuàng xià chéng rèn gōng mín de zì wèi xíng wéi dàn bì xū zài hé lǐ xiàn dù nèi

The law recognizes citizens' acts of self-defense in some cases, but only when they are within reasonable limits.

Core concept

Protecting one's own safety or rights when an outside force, demand, or attack puts them at risk.

Common phrases

  • 进行自卫jìn xíng zì wèi

    engage in self-defense

  • 本能地自卫běn néng dì zì wèi

    instinctively defend oneself

  • 主动自卫zhǔ dòng zì wèi

    actively defend oneself

Similar words

防卫fáng wèi: Guarding against an attack or intrusion with defensive action.
反击fǎn jī: Making an attack in return for an attack or criticism.
抵抗dǐ kàng: Using force or other means to oppose pressure or domination.
自保zì bǎo: Avoiding danger or damage by taking care of one's own safety or interests.

Definition in Chinese

指个人为保护自身安全或权利而采取的防御行为，既可指身体防护也可指维护权利的行动。zhǐ gè rén wèi bǎo hù zì shēn ān quán huò quán lì ér cái qǔ de fáng yù xíng wéi jì kě zhǐ shēn tǐ fáng hù yě kě zhǐ wéi hù quán lì de xíng dòng

Word origin

In 自卫 (zìwèi, "defend oneself"), 自 (zì, "self") identifies whose interests are at stake and 卫 (wèi, "protect") supplies the defensive action.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect this word to mean only physical protection, but Chinese also uses it for protecting a right or interest during a dispute.

Other meanings

  • defendverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 自卫队zì wèi duìself-defense forcenoun
  • 自卫措施zì wèi cuò shīself-defense measuresnoun
  • 自卫本能zì wèi běn néngself-defense instinctnoun

Word lists with this word