Keywords: bǎohù, 保护, protect in Chinese, how to say protect in Mandarin, bǎohù meaning, Chinese word for protection, environmental protection in Chinese, safeguard in Chinese, Chinese verb for protect.
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 保护 (bǎohù), which means “to protect” or “protection.” This versatile term is fundamental for discussing everything from personal safety and data security to the crucial modern concepts of environmental protection and preserving cultural heritage. This guide will break down its characters, cultural importance, and practical use with clear examples, helping you master a word you'll encounter daily in China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bǎohù (bǎo hù)
Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To protect, defend, or safeguard something or someone from harm; the act of protection.
In a Nutshell:保护 (bǎohù) is the primary word for “protect” in Chinese. It carries a strong sense of actively guarding against potential danger, damage, or harm. Think of it as putting up a shield or a barrier. While it can be used for simple things like protecting your eyes from the sun, it's also powerful enough to describe a soldier defending a country or a government protecting its citizens. It implies a sense of duty and care.
Character Breakdown
保 (bǎo): This character shows a person (亻) next to a component that originally depicted a baby. The idea is of a person “protecting” or “guaranteeing” the safety of something precious and vulnerable. Its core meaning is to protect, keep, or guarantee.
护 (hù): This character is composed of the “hand” radical (扌) on the left and a character for “household” or “door” (户) on the right. Pictorially, it represents using one's “hand to guard a door,” which extends to the meaning of defending or protecting a home, person, or nation.
When combined, 保护 (bǎohù) creates a robust and layered term. 保 (bǎo) emphasizes keeping something safe and intact, while 护 (hù) emphasizes the active defense against external threats. Together, they form the most common and comprehensive word for “protection.”
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, the concept of 保护 (bǎohù) is deeply tied to responsibility and duty. It's not just a passive action but a moral obligation. This is rooted in Confucian values that stress social harmony and well-defined roles within the family and society.
Family and Social Duty: The idea of parents 保护 their children, and children in turn 保护 the family's reputation and elders, is fundamental. This extends to a collective sense of responsibility, where protecting one's community or country is seen as a noble duty.
Comparison to Western “Protection”: While “protection” in the West often focuses on individual rights, safety, and security (e.g., “the right to be protected,” “home security system”), 保护 (bǎohù) in China often carries a stronger communal weight. For instance, the term `环境保护` (environmental protection) is frequently framed not just as an individual choice but as a collective, national mission to 保护 the motherland for future generations. It's a duty owed to the group, not just a benefit for the self.
Practical Usage in Modern China
保护 (bǎohù) is a common and important word used across all levels of society, from daily conversation to formal government policy.
Environmental and Heritage: You will see 保护 everywhere in the context of public campaigns.
`保护文化遗产` (bǎohù wénhuà yíchǎn) - Protect Cultural Heritage
Personal and Digital Life: It's essential for talking about safety and security.
`请保护好您的个人信息。` (Qǐng bǎohù hǎo nín de gèrén xìnxī.) - Please protect your personal information.
`他想保护家人不受伤害。` (Tā xiǎng bǎohù jiārén bù shòu shānghài.) - He wants to protect his family from harm.
Formality: The term is generally neutral to slightly formal. In very casual conversation among friends, simpler verbs might be used, but 保护 is always understood and appropriate. It functions as both a verb (“to protect”) and a noun (“protection”).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
父母应该保护自己的孩子。
Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi bǎohù zìjǐ de háizi.
English: Parents should protect their own children.
Analysis: A classic and fundamental use of the term, highlighting the duty of protection within the family.
English: There are many rare animals in this nature reserve (nature protection area).
Analysis: Here, 保护 is used as part of a compound noun, `保护区 (bǎohùqū)`, meaning “protected area” or “reserve.”
Example 8:
证人受到了警方的保护。
Pinyin: Zhèngrén shòudào le jǐngfāng de bǎohù.
English: The witness received protection from the police.
Analysis: In this sentence, 保护 functions as a noun (“protection”). The structure `受到…的保护` means “to receive the protection of…”
Example 9:
律师引用法律条文来保护当事人的权益。
Pinyin: Lǜshī yǐnyòng fǎlǜ tiáowén lái bǎohù dāngshìrén de quányì.
English: The lawyer cited legal clauses to protect the client's rights and interests.
Analysis: A formal example showing its use in a legal context. `权益 (quányì)` is a common word paired with 保护.
Example 10:
他张开双臂，做出一个保护的姿势。
Pinyin: Tā zhāng kāi shuāng bì, zuò chū yí ge bǎohù de zīshì.
English: He opened his arms, making a protective gesture.
Analysis: Here, 保护 is used adjectivally to describe a noun (`姿势` - gesture). The `的 (de)` connects it.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
保护 (bǎohù) vs. 照顾 (zhàogù): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
保护 (bǎohù) means to protect from harm or danger. It's about defense.
照顾 (zhàogù) means to take care of, to look after daily needs. It's about nurturing and attending to someone.
Correct: 你要保护孩子，不要让他跑到马路上。(You need to protect the child, don't let him run into the street.)
Correct: 我每天都要照顾我的小狗，给它喂食、带它散步。(I have to take care of my puppy every day, feeding it and walking it.)
Incorrect: 我要保护我的花，给它们浇水。(I need to protect my flowers by watering them.) → This should be 我要照顾我的花 (I need to take care of my flowers). You would only use 保护 if, for example, a hailstorm was coming and you needed to cover them.
Negative Connotation: While 保护 itself is positive or neutral, the specific compound `保护费 (bǎohùfèi)` means “protection money,” as in the money extorted by gangs. Be aware of this specific usage, but don't confuse it with the general meaning of the word.
Related Terms and Concepts
维护 (wéihù) - To maintain or uphold. More about preserving an existing good state (e.g., maintaining peace, upholding a decision) rather than defending against a direct threat.
保卫 (bǎowèi) - To defend. Stronger and more formal than `保护`, often used in a military or national context (e.g., `保卫国家` - defend the country).
照顾 (zhàogù) - To take care of, to look after. Refers to daily nurturing and support, not defense from harm.
防守 (fángshǒu) - To defend or guard, typically in a military, sports, or game context. It's about holding a position against an attack.
看护 (kānhù) - To look after, to nurse. Specifically used for watching over someone who is sick, young, or otherwise needs close supervision.
爱护 (àihù) - To cherish, to treasure, to take good care of. This combines “love” (爱) and “protect” (护) and implies protecting something out of affection (e.g., `爱护公物` - cherish public property).
自我保护 (zìwǒ bǎohù) - Self-protection. A key concept for personal safety.
环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù) - Environmental protection. A very common and important fixed phrase.
保护费 (bǎohùfèi) - Protection money. The fee extorted by criminals. Has a specific negative meaning.