弁護する

• Reading: べんごする
• Romaji: bengo suru
• Kanji breakdown: 弁 (ben) — speak, argue; 護 (go) — protect, guard
• Pronunciation: /beɴ.ɡo.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To defend; to speak in someone's defence or act as their legal advocate.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 弁護 (defence/advocacy) with する. Used in legal contexts (弁護士, lawyer) and general situations where someone speaks up to protect another person's reputation or rights. The noun 弁護 often appears in 弁護人 (defence counsel) and 弁護団 (defence team).

Examples

1. 弁護士が被告人を弁護した。 The lawyer defended the defendant.
2. 友人の失敗を弁護するつもりはない。 I have no intention of defending my friend's mistake.
3. 不当な処分に対して彼は自分を強く弁護した。 He strongly defended himself against the unjust punishment.

Usage Guide

Context: law, courts, debate, interpersonal

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 弁 (ben, to speak/argue) + 護 (go, to protect/guard). Literally 'to speak in protection,' describing the act of verbal advocacy on someone's behalf.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated