bǎowèi: 保卫 - Defend, Safeguard

Keywords: baowei, 保卫, defend in Chinese, safeguard in Chinese, protect vs defend Chinese, bǎowèi meaning, Chinese word for defend, HSK 5 vocabulary, protect the motherland in Chinese, 保卫祖国

Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese verb 保卫 (bǎowèi), meaning “to defend” or “to safeguard.” This term goes beyond simple protection; it implies an active, vigilant defense against a threat, often in a military, national, or ideological context. This page breaks down its cultural significance in patriotism, its practical use in modern China, and how it differs from the more common word for “protect,” 保护 (bǎohù).

Pinyin (with tone marks): bǎo wèi

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To defend or safeguard something important (like a country, people, or principles) from attack or harm.

In a Nutshell: Think of `保卫 (bǎowèi)` as the action of a soldier, a guard, or a guardian. It’s not just about keeping something safe in a passive way; it's about actively standing watch, fending off threats, and resisting attack. The word carries a sense of duty, honor, and seriousness. While you might `保护 (bǎohù)` your phone with a case, you would `保卫 (bǎowèi)` your country, your home, or your ideals.

保 (bǎo): This character's original form showed a person protecting a child. Its core meaning is to protect, keep, or ensure.

卫 (wèi): This character is a pictogram of a person walking a patrol route around a perimeter or city wall. It means to guard or defend.

Together: The combination of `保 (bǎo)` and `卫 (wèi)` is very potent. It creates the meaning of “to guard in order to protect.” It emphasizes a proactive and vigilant defense to ensure the safety and integrity of something precious.

`保卫 (bǎowèi)` is a cornerstone of Chinese patriotic and collective identity. The phrase `保卫祖国 (bǎowèi zǔguó)`, “defend the motherland,” is a powerful and frequently used expression found in national slogans, songs, and movies. It evokes a strong sense of collective duty and sacrifice for the nation.

Comparison to “Defend” in the West: In English, “defend” can be used in a wide range of contexts, from the serious (“defend the nation”) to the mundane (“defend my title” in a video game) or academic (“defend my thesis”). While `保卫` can be used metaphorically, its primary feeling is much more solemn and serious than the casual uses of “defend.” It's rarely used for personal or trivial matters. Using `保卫` for something like defending a sports championship would sound overly dramatic and almost comical in Chinese. The term is deeply connected to the cultural value of collectivism, where the security of the group (family, community, nation) is paramount.

Connotation: `保卫` is almost always positive and noble. It implies a righteous struggle against a negative force. It is a formal word; for everyday “protection,” you would use 保护 (bǎohù).

保护 (bǎohù) - To protect. The most common and general term for keeping something safe from harm. The key counterpart to `保卫`.

防卫 (fángwèi) - To defend (oneself or a place). Focuses more on the reactive action of fending off an attack. “Self-defense” is `正当防卫 (zhèng dāng fángwèi)`.

守卫 (shǒuwèi) - To guard or stand watch over a specific location, like a gate, a building, or a post. More static than `保卫`.

捍卫 (hànwèi) - To defend vigorously and unyieldingly, almost always used for abstract principles like honor, dignity, rights, or truth. It's even more formal and stronger than `保卫`.

国防 (guófáng) - National defense. The system, policy, and military apparatus that exists to `保卫` the country.

祖国 (zǔguó) - Motherland. The entity that is most frequently the object of the verb `保卫`.

安全 (ānquán) - Safety; security. This is the state or condition that one hopes to achieve through the act of `保卫`.

士兵 (shìbīng) - Soldier. A person whose job is to `保卫` their country.

家园 (jiāyuán) - Homeland; home. A place one feels a duty to `保卫`.