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March 24, 2026
防守fángshǒu(fang2shou3)
防守 (fángshǒu) means to defend or protect, typically in a context where one is guarding against an opponent or threat. Commonly used in sports, military, and security contexts, it emphasizes the act of safeguarding a position or territory from attack.
Frequency#4082DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese sports culture, especially basketball and soccer, 防守 is a critical concept that reflects the importance of defense as a strategy for success. Teams are often evaluated on their defensive capabilities as much as their offensive skills.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fortress with strong walls (防), where guards (守) stand watch to protect against invaders. The walls symbolize defense while the guards represent protection, helping you remember both the components and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 防守
fángshǒu(fang2shou3)
1to defend
2to protect (against)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 防守
防守Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4082Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 防守
Podcast: 防守
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AI Study Notes for 防守
Quick Contrast
防守 (defend) vs 保护 (protect) — use 防守 when emphasizing guarding against an opponent, while 保护 is broader and can refer to general protection.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fortress with strong walls (防), where guards (守) stand watch to protect against invaders. The walls symbolize defense while the guards represent protection, helping you remember both the components and the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
防守 is generally used in formal contexts, such as sports commentary or military discussions. Be careful not to confuse it with 攻击 (gōngjī), which means to attack; the two are often used in opposition. Common collocations include 防守策略 (defensive strategy) and 防守能力 (defensive capability).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 防守 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to strategy and security. Students should focus on compound phrases and how it interacts with words like 进攻 (jìngōng, to attack) to deepen their understanding of tactical discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese sports culture, especially basketball and soccer, 防守 is a critical concept that reflects the importance of defense as a strategy for success. Teams are often evaluated on their defensive capabilities as much as their offensive skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 防守 with the more general term 保护 (bǎohù), which means to protect without the connotation of defense against an attack. For example, saying '我需要防守我的家' (I need to defend my home) should be used with caution, as it suggests an imminent threat; '我需要保护我的家' is more appropriate for general safety.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 防守
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Grammar Patterns of 防守
防守 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
比赛形势决定了他们要打____战而不是进攻战。
Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
Example Sentences for 防守 (9)
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1
比赛形势决定了他们要打防守战而不是进攻战。
bǐ sài xíng shì jué dìng le tā mén yào dǎ fáng shǒu zhàn ér bù shì jìn gōng zhàn。
Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
2
我们防守的时候，裁判们一直看着球。
wǒ mén fáng shǒu de shí hòu， ， cái pàn mén yī zhí kàn zháo。
When we are fielding, the umpires keep looking at the ball.
The team's total lack of defense added up to another big loss.
Cultural Notes for 防守
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese sports culture, especially basketball and soccer, 防守 is a critical concept that reflects the importance of defense as a strategy for success. Teams are often evaluated on their defensive capabilities as much as their offensive skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about 防守
No, while it's common in sports, 防守 can also refer to military defense or personal protection in various situations.
Yes, it's applicable in discussions about safety, security, or even personal boundaries.
The opposite is 攻击 (gōngjī), which means to attack.
