What is the Kanji for 'Protect'? | 守

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Protect', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Protect' is 守.

kanji

守

Meaning

Protect

Reading

kunyomiもり

mori

まも

mamo

onyomiす

しゅ

shu

Parts

宀Roof 寸Measurement

Example Word

留守番: house sitting. The Japanese noun '留守番 (るすばん)' refers to the act of looking after a house or property while the owner is away. It is commonly used when someone stays at home to take care of things, such as receiving packages, watching over pets, or ensuring security. For example: I will do the house-sitting「私が留守番をします」(わたしがるすばんをします). The dog is good at house-sitting「その犬は留守番が上手です」(そのいぬはるすばんがじょうずです). This term is often used in contexts where someone is temporarily responsible for a home in the absence of its usual occupants.

Radical

宀

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

399

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 守

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

radical

宀

Meaning

Roof

kanji

寸

Meaning

Measurement

守 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

kanji

狩

Meaning

Hunting, Hunt

Words Using 守

This kanji is used in 7 words:

word

守る

Meaning

Protect

word

留守

Meaning

Absence

word

守備

Meaning

Defense

word

見守る

Meaning

Watch

word

守護

Meaning

Guardian

word

保守

Meaning

Maintenance, Conservation

word

留守番

Meaning

House sitting

Kanji Related to 守 Through the Part 宀

These 36 kanji contain the part 宀 as well.

kanji

字

Meaning

Character

kanji

室

Meaning

Room

kanji

家

Meaning

House

kanji

安

Meaning

Cheap, Relax

kanji

寒

Meaning

Cold

kanji

寝

Meaning

Lie down, Go to sleep

kanji

客

Meaning

Guest, Customer

kanji

定

Meaning

Determine

kanji

宿

Meaning

Lodging

kanji

実

Meaning

Fruit, Truth

kanji

察

Meaning

Guess

kanji

官

Meaning

Government, Bureaucrat

kanji

宝

Meaning

Treasure

kanji

宅

Meaning

House

kanji

富

Meaning

Wealth, Rich

kanji

完

Meaning

Complete

kanji

害

Meaning

Harm

kanji

宗

Meaning

Religion

kanji

宮

Meaning

Palace

kanji

宣

Meaning

Proclaim, Promulgate

kanji

憲

Meaning

Constitution

kanji

宴

Meaning

Banquet

kanji

寄

Meaning

Draw near

kanji

容

Meaning

Contain, Looks

kanji

寮

Meaning

Dormitory

kanji

穴

Meaning

Hole

kanji

宙

Meaning

Midair

kanji

寂

Meaning

Quietly, Lonely

kanji

寛

Meaning

Magnanimous, Tolerance

kanji

宜

Meaning

Right, Best regards

kanji

審

Meaning

Investigate, Judge

kanji

宵

Meaning

Wee hours, Early evening

kanji

宰

Meaning

Preside, Manager

kanji

賓

Meaning

Guest, Vip

kanji

寡

Meaning

Few, Widow

kanji

宛

Meaning

Address

Kanji Related to 守 Through the Part 寸

These 21 kanji contain the part 寸 as well.

kanji

村

Meaning

Village

kanji

寺

Meaning

Temple

kanji

対

Meaning

Against

kanji

付

Meaning

Attach

kanji

団

Meaning

Group, Association

kanji

封

Meaning

Seal

kanji

導

Meaning

Lead, Guide

kanji

尊

Meaning

Respect, Revered

kanji

専

Meaning

Exclusive, Specialty

kanji

討

Meaning

Chastise

kanji

射

Meaning

Shoot

kanji

寿

Meaning

Longevity, Congratulations

kanji

闘

Meaning

Fight, Struggle

kanji

尋

Meaning

Inquire

kanji

耐

Meaning

Proof, Withstand

kanji

辱

Meaning

Humiliate

kanji

冠

Meaning

Crown, Cap

kanji

尉

Meaning

Company officer, Military officer

kanji

爵

Meaning

Baron, Rank of nobility

kanji

酎

Meaning

Sake

kanji

肘

Meaning

Arm, Elbow

Learn the Kanji 守

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 守 mean?

守 means 'Protect'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.