Meaning
保卫 means to actively defend or guard something against threats or attacks. It carries a sense of vigilance and active protection, often used in military, security, or patriotic contexts. The word emphasizes the protective action taken to keep something safe from harm or invasion.
Usage
This word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts, particularly when discussing national defense, security work, or protecting important things like borders, rights, or peace. It's more formal than 保护 (bǎohù) and often appears in political, military, or news discourse. Native speakers associate it with active, sometimes militant defense rather than passive protection.
Examples
- 01军人的职责是保卫国家安全。.The duty of soldiers is to defend national security.
- 02我们要保卫自己的合法权益。.We must defend our legitimate rights and interests.
Characters
Common collocations
- 保卫祖国to defend the motherland
- 保卫和平to safeguard peace
- 保卫边疆to defend the border
- 保卫工作security work
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to protection: 保 originally showed a person carrying a child on their back (protecting), while 卫 depicted guarding a settlement. Together they emphasize active, vigilant defense.