to defend, to guard, to protect

HSK 7 7 strokes
Stroke order animation for 护

Words with this Character

Usage of (hù)

The character primarily means "to protect" or "to guard." It is often used in contexts involving physical protection, such as guarding a person or an object. It can also imply responsibility for someone's safety or well-being.

Common Collocations

  • (hùsòng): to escort or protect someone while moving from one place to another.
  • 保护 (bǎohù): to protect or safeguard, often used for abstract or physical protection.
  • (hùwèi): to guard or defend, often used in a military or security context.

Notes

When using , it often appears in compound words that specify the type of protection. It is more formal and specific than the general verb (bǎo), which also means "to protect" but is broader. Avoid confusing with ; emphasizes guarding or defending, often physically.

In conversation, is common in professional or formal contexts, such as healthcare (护士 hùshì, nurse) or security. It can also be used metaphorically to express protecting rights or interests.

Example Sentences

护士负责护送病人到手术室。

Hùshì fùzé hùsòng bìngrén dào shǒushùshì.

The nurse is responsible for escorting the patient to the operating room.

我们应该保护环境,护卫我们的家园。

Wǒmen yīnggāi bǎohù huánjìng, hùwèi wǒmen de jiāyuán.

We should protect the environment and guard our homeland.

他用手护住了孩子,防止他摔倒。

Tā yòng shǒu hù zhùle háizi, fángzhǐ tā shuāidǎo.

He used his hand to protect the child from falling.