verb HSK 4
Traditional 護
to protect · to guard · to defend
Meaning
护 means to protect, guard, or defend something or someone from harm. It conveys the sense of actively shielding or safeguarding. This character commonly appears in compound words related to protection, defense, and care.
Usage
护 is rarely used alone in modern Mandarin and typically appears in two-character compounds like 保护 (protect), 护士 (nurse), 护照 (passport), or 爱护 (cherish/care for). When used independently, it's mostly found in formal or literary contexts.
Examples
- 01我们应该保护环境。.We should protect the environment.
- 02她是一名护士，在医院工作。, .She is a nurse and works at a hospital.
Common collocations
- 护照passport
- 护理to nurse/nursing care
- 护卫to guard/bodyguard
- 维护to safeguard/maintain
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 護 contains the radical 言 (speech) and 蒦, suggesting the idea of speaking up or advocating for someone's protection. The simplified form 护 uses 扌(hand) + 户 (door/household), evoking the image of using one's hand to guard one's home.