shǒuwèi: 守卫 - To Guard, To Defend, Stand Watch

Keywords: shouwei, shǒu wèi, 守卫, how to say guard in Chinese, defend in Chinese, protect in Chinese, Chinese word for sentry, stand watch, 守衛 (traditional)

Summary: A comprehensive guide to the Chinese word shǒuwèi (守卫), which means to guard or to defend. This page explores its core meaning, character origins, and cultural significance. Learn how to use shǒuwèi in both literal contexts, like a soldier guarding a post, and metaphorical ones, like defending one's homeland or principles. With over 10 practical example sentences, this entry is perfect for beginners wanting to understand how to say “guard” in Chinese accurately.

Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒu wèi

Part of Speech: Verb / Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To stand watch over and protect a place or person; a person who performs this duty (a guard or sentry).

In a Nutshell: Shǒuwèi evokes a sense of steadfast, vigilant protection. It's about holding a position and preventing intrusion or harm. Think of a castle guard on a watchtower or a sentry at a border crossing. The feeling is one of serious responsibility and static defense, holding the line rather than actively pursuing a threat.

守 (shǒu): This character is composed of a “roof” radical (宀) over a character for “hand” or “inch” (寸). Pictorially, it represents a hand holding a weapon to guard a building or a specific spot. Its core meaning is to guard, to keep, or to observe (a rule or tradition).

卫 (wèi): The ancient form of this character depicted a person walking around a designated area or boundary, like a patrol. It carries the meaning of protecting or guarding a perimeter.

Together, 守卫 (shǒuwèi) combines the idea of “guarding a fixed point” (守) with “protecting a perimeter” (卫), creating a strong and complete word for defending a location or entity.

Shǒuwèi is deeply rooted in China's long history of dynastic rule, walled cities, and border defense. The image of soldiers diligently guarding (守卫) the Great Wall (长城 Chángchéng) is an iconic symbol of Chinese perseverance and national protection. The term carries a weight of duty, loyalty, and often, self-sacrifice.

Comparison to “Guard”: In English, “guard” can be very broad. A security guard at a mall, a lifeguard at a pool, and a royal guard at a palace are all “guards.” Chinese is often more specific. While shǒuwèi can be used for a general guard, it often has a more formal and serious tone than the modern term for a security guard, 保安 (bǎo'ān). Shǒuwèi is more fitting for military, national, or otherwise significant posts. It implies defending against a potential enemy or threat, whereas a 保安 (bǎo'ān) is more focused on maintaining order and safety.

Formality: Shǒuwèi is a neutral-to-formal word. For casual situations, like “Can you watch my bag?”, you would never use shǒuwèi. Instead, you would say 帮我看一下 (bāng wǒ kàn yīxià), which literally means “help me watch for a moment.” Using shǒuwèi in such a context would sound overly dramatic and strange.

保护 (bǎohù) - A broad term for “to protect.” Shǒuwèi is a specific type of bǎohù.

保卫 (bǎowèi) - To defend (often with passion against an active threat), very close to shǒuwèi but perhaps more dynamic. Often used in patriotic slogans like “保卫祖国” (Defend the motherland).

保安 (bǎo'ān) - The modern term for a private security guard.

看守 (kānshǒu) - To watch over, to guard. Often implies a lower-intensity watch, or specifically guarding prisoners.

防守 (fángshǒu) - To defend, especially in a military or sports context (e.g., a basketball team's defense). It focuses on the action of defense against an offense.

捍卫 (hànwèi) - To vigorously defend or uphold, almost exclusively used for abstract concepts like rights, dignity, principles, or honor. It is more passionate than shǒuwèi.

卫士 (wèishì) - A guard or defender. A more literary or formal noun than shǒuwèi.

士兵 (shìbīng) - Soldier. A soldier is a person who often performs the action of shǒuwèi.