Readings: シュ (Onyomi), まも.る, まも.り (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Protect, guard, defend, obey, comply, observe
The kanji 守 (shu, mamoru) is a pictogram (象形文字, shōkei moji) depicting a hand (寸) covering or guarding a house (宀). It visually represents the act of protecting or defending something, often a dwelling or an area.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 守 consists of 6 strokes. Begin with the roof radical (宀) with its two top strokes, followed by the vertical stroke down. Then, complete the lower part resembling a hand, starting with the two horizontal strokes and finishing with the final two strokes that form the right side.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 宀 (うかんむり) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シュ (SHU)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- まもる (mamoru)
- まもり (mamori)
Common Words Using 守
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 守備 | しゅび | defense (in sports), guardianship |
| 保守 | ほしゅ | conservative, maintenance |
| 留守 | るす | absence from home |
| 遵守 | じゅんしゅ | observance, compliance |
| 守衛 | しゅえい | security guard |
| 防守 | ぼうしゅ | defense, guarding |
| 守勢 | しゅせい | defensive (posture) |
| 守護 | しゅご | guardianship, protection |
| 固守 | こしゅ | adherence, firm maintenance |
| 厳守 | げんしゅ | strict observance |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 守る | まもる | to protect, to guard |
| 子守 | こもり | babysitting, babysitter |
| お守り | おまもり | charm, amulet |
| 家守 | やもり | gecko (literally “house guard”) |
| 見守る | みまもる | to watch over, to look after |
| 国を守る | くにをまもる | to protect the country |
| 約束を守る | やくそくをまもる | to keep a promise |
| 秘密を守る | ひみつをまもる | to keep a secret |
| ルールを守る | ルールをまもる | to follow the rules |
| 守り神 | まもりがみ | guardian deity |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 私たちがこの町を守りましょう。
Kana: わたしたちがこのまちをまもりましょう。
Romaji: Watashitachi ga kono machi o mamorimashō.
English: Let’s protect this town.
Japanese: 彼はいつも約束を守る人です。
Kana: かれはいつもやくそくをまもるひとです。
Romaji: Kare wa itsumo yakusoku o mamoru hito desu.
English: He is a person who always keeps his promises.
Japanese: このお守りは幸運をもたらします。
Kana: このおまもりはこううんをもたらします。
Romaji: Kono omamori wa kōun o motarashimasu.
English: This amulet brings good luck.
Japanese: 試合では守備がとても重要だ。
Kana: しあいではしゅびがとてもじゅうようだ。
Romaji: Shiai de wa shubi ga totemo jūyō da.
English: Defense is very important in a game.
Japanese: 家族を守るために強くならなければならない。
Kana: かぞくをまもるためにつよくなければならない。
Romaji: Kazoku o mamoru tame ni tsuyoku naránakereba naranai.
English: I must become strong to protect my family.
Japanese: 彼らは古い伝統を固守している。
Kana: かれらはふるいでんとうをこしゅしている。
Romaji: Karera wa furui dentō o kosshu shiteiru.
English: They firmly adhere to old traditions.
Japanese: 警察官は市民の安全を守る。
Kana: けいさつかんはしみんのあんぜんをまもる。
Romaji: Keisatsukan wa shimin no anzen o mamoru.
English: Police officers protect the safety of citizens.
Japanese: 留守中に誰か来ましたか。
Kana: るすちゅうにだれかきましたか。
Romaji: Rusuchū ni dareka kimashita ka?
English: Did anyone come while I was out?
Japanese: 彼らは規則を厳守した。
Kana: かれらはきそくをげんしゅした。
Romaji: Karera wa kisoku o genshu shita.
English: They strictly observed the rules.
Japanese: 両親は子供を見守っている。
Kana: りょうしんはこどもをみまもっている。
Romaji: Ryōshin wa kodomo o mimamotteiru.
English: The parents are watching over their child.
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