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What is the Kanji for 'Protect' and 'Defense'? | 衛

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Protect' and 'Defense' is 衛.

    kanji

    衛

    Meaning

    Protect, Defense

    Reading

    onyomiえい

    ei

    Parts

    行Go 韋

    Example Word

    自衛: self defense. The Japanese noun '自衛 (じえい)' means 'self-defense'. It refers to the act of protecting oneself from harm or danger, often used in contexts related to personal safety, military defense, or legal rights. For example: self-defense is a basic human right「自衛は基本的な人権です」(じえいはきほんてきなじんけんです). The country strengthened its self-defense capabilities「その国は自衛能力を強化した」(そのくにはじえいのうりょくをきょうかした). This term is commonly used in discussions about national security, martial arts, or personal safety measures.

    Radical

    行

    Stroke Count

    16

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    312

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 衛

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

    kanji

    行

    Meaning

    Go

    component

    韋

Words Using 衛

This kanji is used in 6 words:

    word

    衛星

    Meaning

    Satellite

    word

    衛生

    Meaning

    Hygiene

    word

    防衛

    Meaning

    Defense

    word

    自衛

    Meaning

    Self defense

    word

    衛生的

    Meaning

    Sanitary

    word

    自衛隊

    Meaning

    Self Defense Forces

Kanji Related to 衛 Through the Part 行

These 5 kanji contain the part 行 as well.

    kanji

    街

    Meaning

    Street, Boulevard

    kanji

    衝

    Meaning

    Collide

    kanji

    術

    Meaning

    Art, Technique

    kanji

    桁

    Meaning

    Girder

    kanji

    衡

    Meaning

    Balance, Equilibrium

Kanji Related to 衛 Through the Part 韋

These 4 kanji contain the part 韋 as well.

    kanji

    韓

    Meaning

    Korea

    kanji

    偉

    Meaning

    Great, Admirable

    kanji

    違

    Meaning

    Differ, Different

    kanji

    緯

    Meaning

    Horizontal, Latitude

Learn the Kanji 衛

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 衛 mean?

衛 means 'Protect' and 'Defense'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

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

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