Meaning

Primary

To Protect

Alternatives

To Defend, To Obey

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means protect so the verb vocab version is to protect and also to defend. This can also mean to obey, in the sense of obeying the rules.

Reading

まもる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

You need to protect against breast cancer, so you get yourself a mammogram (まも).

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 法で守る

    to protect by law

    皆で守る

    to protect together

    自分で守る

    to protect by oneself

Context Sentences

分からないかもしれませんが、かれはいつもあなたのそばにいて、あなたのことを守ってくれているんですよ。

It may not seem like he's here, but he is always with you, protecting you.

コウイチの犬は、コウイチを危険から守りました。

Koichi's dog protected him from danger.

いいか、わが愛犬よ、よく聞け。家族を守るのは、お前の責任だ。

Listen to me, my dog. It’s your responsibility to defend your family.

Kanji Composition