盾

• Reading: たて
• Romaji: tate
• Kanji breakdown: 盾 (tate/jun) — shield
• Pronunciation: /ta.te/

Meaning

Shield; a protective barrier held to deflect attacks.

A noun referring to a defensive tool used in combat or figuratively as protection. Common expressions: 盾にする (tate ni suru, to use as a shield/excuse), 矛盾 (mujun, contradiction — literally 'spear and shield,' from a famous Chinese parable). While physical shields are rare in modern life, the word appears frequently in games, fantasy media, and the idiom 矛盾.

Examples

1. 騎士は剣と盾を持って戦った。 The knight fought with a sword and shield.
2. 子供を盾にするような行為は許されない。 Using a child as a shield is unforgivable.
3. ゲームで一番強い盾を手に入れた。 I got the strongest shield in the game.

Usage Guide

Context: history, gaming, idioms

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 盾 depicts a shield viewed from the front. The word appears in the classical Chinese paradox of the spear and shield (矛盾), one of the most famous philosophical anecdotes in East Asia.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal