prevent / defend
N2- Onyomi
- ボウ
- Kunyomi
- ふせ(ぐ)
- Stroke count
- 7
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a wall drawn right around what it holds: that is what 防 means — prevent / defend. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, ⻖ (hill / mound) — a terraced hill climbing at the left, and beside it 方 (direction / way) — a signpost with one arm pointing off. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 7
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は7画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 7 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
防ぐ
fusegu
to prevent
防御
bougyo
defense
防衛
bouei
defense
予防
yobou
prevention
防いで
fuseide
prevent — te-form
防衛した
boueishita
plain past: did defense
Example sentences (6)
手を洗うと、病気を防ぐことができます。
て を あらう と、びょうき を ふせぐ こと が できます。
te o arau to, byouki o fusegu koto ga dekimasu.
Washing your hands can prevent illness.
二重に確認することで、同じミスを防いでいます。
にじゅう に かくにん する こと で、おなじ みす を ふせいで います。
nijuu ni kakunin suru koto de, onaji misu o fuseide imasu.
By checking twice, we prevent the same mistakes.
手洗いで風邪を予防しましょう。
てあらい で かぜ を よぼう しましょう。
tearai de kaze o yobou shimashou.
Let us prevent colds by washing our hands.
予防のために、毎年ワクチンを受けるようにしています。
よぼう の ため に、まいとし わくちん を うける よう に しています。
yobou no tame ni, maitoshi wakuchin o ukeru you ni shiteimasu.
For prevention, I make sure to get a vaccine every year.
手を洗って風邪を防ぎましょう。
て を あらって かぜ を ふせぎましょう。
te o aratte kaze o fusegimashou.
Let us wash our hands and prevent colds.
同じミスを防ぐために、チェックリストを作りました。
おなじ みす を ふせぐ ため に、ちぇっくりすと を つくりました。
onaji misu o fusegu tame ni, chekkurisuto o tsukurimashita.
To prevent the same mistake, I made a checklist.