防
防·prevent, defend, protect against
- On-yomi
- ボウ
- Kun-yomi
- ふせ(ぐ)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 防止 | ぼうし | prevention |
| 予防 | よぼう | prevention of illness |
| 消防車 | しょうぼうしゃ | fire engine |
| 防ぐ | ふせぐ | to prevent, to defend against |
Example sentences
手を洗って風邪を予防しましょう。
てをあらってかぜをよぼうしましょう。
Let us wash our hands to prevent colds.
消防車が三台、走っていった。
しょうぼうしゃがさんだい、はしっていった。
Three fire engines went racing past.
この壁は冷たい風を防いでくれる。
このかべはつめたいかぜをふせいでくれる。
This wall keeps the cold wind out for us.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 予防 as よほう, which is 予報, a forecast
- Mixing up 防ぐ (heading trouble off) with 守る (protecting what you already have)
Memory aid
Picture it
A bank of earth (阝) facing one direction (方) — an embankment thrown up to keep trouble out.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 防止するぼうしするto prevent (accidents, crime, damage)
- 防犯ぼうはんprevention of crime, crime prevention
- 消防署しょうぼうしょfire station, fire department
- 防止ぼうしprevention, checking (something bad from happening)
- 消防しょうぼうfire fighting, fire department
- 予防よぼうprevention
- 防ぐふせぐto prevent
- 防備ぼうびdefense, defensive preparations
- 防火ぼうかfire prevention; fireproofing
- 堤防ていぼうembankment; levee; dyke; bank
- 国防こくぼうnational defence
- 防衛ぼうえいdefence; protection; self-defence
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 防 mean?