Meaning
The kanji 防 (bō, fusegu) expresses the core meanings of "to prevent," "to protect," "to defend," "to avert," or "to ward off." It embodies the concept of creating a barrier or taking action to stop undesirable events. The character also implies guarding against harm.
Its origin lies in a semantic-phonetic compound. The left-hand radical, 阜 (こざとへん, kozatōhen), originally depicted a mound or hill. This component frequently relates to landforms, boundaries, or fortifications, strongly suggesting defense or a physical barrier. The right-hand component, 方 (ほう, hō), serves as the phonetic element, giving the kanji its on'yomi reading: ボウ (BŌ). 方 also means "direction" or "side," which can be interpreted as warding something off from a specific point or approach.
Thus, the visual form of 防 clearly connects to its meaning: a "hill" or "mound" (阜) acting as a protective barrier to "ward off" (方) something, evoking a sense of defense and prevention. Whether you're preventing a disease, protecting against a disaster, or defending a fortress, the central idea of proactive safeguarding remains key to 防.
This 7-stroke kanji is taught in the 4th grade in Japanese elementary schools. Its early introduction highlights its fundamental role in everyday vocabulary related to safety and security.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 防 is ボウ (BŌ). This Chinese-derived reading appears extensively in compound words, particularly those with a formal or technical nuance. It covers various types of prevention, protection, and defense. When 防 is part of a longer word, it almost always takes this reading.
- 予防 (yobō) — prevention, precaution. This is a widely used term for general preventative measures.
- 防水 (bōsui) — waterproofing, water resistance. You'll often see this term on materials or devices designed to repel water.
- 防御 (bōgyo) — defense, safeguard. This term is often used in contexts of military defense or in sports.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main kun'yomi for 防 is ふせ(ぐ) (fuse(gu)). This reading is used when the kanji stands alone or is part of a native Japanese verb. The verb 防ぐ means "to prevent," "to ward off," "to defend against," or "to avert." It describes the act of taking measures to stop something from happening.
- 防ぐ (fusegu) — to prevent, to ward off, to defend. This is the base form of the verb.
- 雨を防ぐ (ame o fusegu) — to prevent rain, to keep out the rain.
- 災害を防ぐ (saigai o fusegu) — to prevent a disaster.
- 攻撃を防ぐ (kōgeki o fusegu) — to defend against an attack.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 防 is incredibly versatile, forming many compounds related to safety, security, and protection. Below are common words and compounds, grouped by theme, to illustrate its wide range of applications:
General Prevention & Safety
- 予防 (yobō) — prevention, precaution. Often used for health or general safety.
- 防止 (bōshi) — prevention, check, deterrent. This term implies actively stopping something from occurring.
- 防犯 (bōhan) — crime prevention. Measures taken to deter criminal activity.
- 防災 (bōsai) — disaster prevention. Preparedness and measures against natural disasters.
Specific Types of Protection
- 防水 (bōsui) — waterproofing, water resistance. Essential for outdoor gear and electronics.
- 防火 (bōka) — fire prevention, fireproof. This is a critical term in building codes and safety regulations.
- 防寒 (bōkan) — protection against cold, cold weather gear. Often refers to clothing or equipment designed for warmth in winter.
- 防塵 (bōjin) — dustproof. You'll often see this term for equipment sensitive to dust.
- 防音 (bōon) — soundproofing. To reduce noise transmission.
- 防腐剤 (bōfuzai) — preservative (agent). Used to prevent decay in food or materials.
Defense & Fortification
- 防御 (bōgyo) — defense, safeguard. Can refer to military, sports, or digital security.
- 国防 (kokubō) — national defense. The protection of a country.
- 堤防 (teibō) — embankment, levee, dike. A structure built to prevent flooding.
Example Sentences
風邪を防ぐためにマスクをしました。
Kaze o fusegu tame ni masuku o shimashita.
I wore a mask to prevent catching a cold.
泥棒の侵入を防ぐため、ドアに鍵をかけました。
Dorobō no shinnyū o fusegu tame, doa ni kagi o kakemashita.
I locked the door to prevent burglars from entering.
災害の予防は非常に重要です。
Saigai no yobō wa hijō ni jūyō desu.
Disaster prevention is extremely important.
この建物は耐震構造なので、地震の被害を防ぎます。
Kono tatemono wa taishin kōzō nano de, jishin no higai o fusegimasu.
This building has an earthquake-resistant structure, preventing damage from earthquakes.
冬の寒さを防ぐために、厚手のコートを着ました。
Fuyu no samu-sa o fusegu tame ni, atsude no kōto o kimashita.
I wore a thick coat to protect against the winter cold.
警備員は不審者の侵入を防御しました。
Keibiin wa fushinsha no shinnyū o bōgyo shimashita.
The security guard defended against the suspicious person's intrusion.
政府は新型ウイルス感染拡大の防止策を発表しました。
Seifu wa shingata uirusu kansen kakudai no bōshi-saku o happyō shimashita.
The government announced measures to prevent the spread of the new virus.
この防水カメラは水深10メートルまで使用可能です。
Kono bōsui kamera wa suishin jūmētoru made shiyō kanō desu.
This waterproof camera can be used up to a depth of 10 meters.
国民の安全を守るのが国防の役割です。
Kokumin no anzen o mamoru no ga kokubō no yakuwari desu.
It is the role of national defense to protect the safety of the citizens.
火事を防ぐために、寝る前にはガスの元栓を閉めましょう。
Kaji o fusegu tame ni, nerumae ni wa gasu no motosen o shimemashō.
To prevent fires, let's close the main gas valve before going to bed.
Memory Tip
To remember 防, visualize its components. The left side, 阜 (こざとへん, kozatōhen), represents a "hill" or "mound," like a natural barrier or fortification. The right side, 方, can mean "direction" or "side," and also serves as the phonetic component. Picture a fortress built on a hill (阜) designed to ward off (方) enemies approaching from any direction. This imagery effectively connects the kanji to the concepts of protection, defense, and prevention. Think of it as establishing a defensive position to proactively prevent any intrusion.