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Word 3273 of 4449

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盾

たて

shield; buckler; (figuratively) pretext; shelter

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 兵士は盾で身を守った。

    へいしはたてでみをまもった。

    The soldier protected himself with his shield.

  2. 盾の両面を見よ。

    たてのりょうめんをみよ。

    Look on both sides of the shield.

  3. 彼は規則を盾に取って、こちらの頼みを断った。

    かれはきそくをたてにとって、こちらのたのみをことわった。

    He used the rules as a shield and turned down our request.

  4. 母親は我が子の盾となって、非難の矢面に立ち続けた。

    ははおやはわがこのたてとなって、ひなんのやおもてにたちつづけた。

    The mother made herself a shield for her child and kept standing in the line of criticism.

Common patterns

盾に取る
to use as a shield / a pretext
盾となる
to become a shield (for someone)
矛盾
contradiction (lit. spear and shield)

Memory tip

The famous compound 矛盾 "contradiction" comes from the tale of a merchant selling a spear (矛) that pierces anything and a 盾 that nothing pierces. Figuratively 〜を盾に取る means hiding behind a rule or excuse.

Kanji in this word

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What does 盾 mean?