保护

• Pinyin: bǎo hù
• Hanzi breakdown: 保 = 亻(person) + 呆 (phonetic), meaning protect; 护 = 扌(hand) + 户 (door, phonetic), meaning to guard

Meaning

To protect; to safeguard. To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.

A widely used word for all kinds of protection: environmental protection (环保), protecting people, preserving cultural heritage, etc. 保护环境 (protect the environment) is one of the most common collocations.

Examples

1. 我们应该保护环境，少用塑料袋。 We should protect the environment and use fewer plastic bags.
2. 父母总是想保护自己的孩子。 Parents always want to protect their children.
3. 这种动物已经受到了国家的保护。 This type of animal is now under national protection.

Usage Guide

Context: environment, family, society

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 大家都应该保护自然环境。(Everyone should protect the natural environment.)
• 这个地方被保护得很好。(This place is very well protected.)

Don't Say

• 保护我的钱 (It sounds odd to use 保护 for money — use 保管 for safekeeping valuables, or 存 for depositing money)

Origin & History

Compound of 保 (to keep, protect) and 护 (to guard, defend), reinforcing the meaning of safeguarding.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal