Translation guide
The concept of protecting and preserving natural resources, environments, or cultural heritage. Japanese expresses this through specific terms depending on what is being conserved.
The protection and preservation of natural environments, wildlife, and ecosystems.
The most common and direct term for environmental protection/conservation. Used in general contexts, policies, and everyday speech.
環境保護は地球規模の課題です。
Environmental conservation is a global issue.
彼女は環境保護団体で働いています。
She works for an environmental conservation organization.
Specifically refers to nature conservation, often used for wildlife, forests, and natural landscapes.
A more formal term for conservation/preservation, often used in technical, legal, or ecological contexts (e.g., biodiversity conservation).
Short for 'ecological' or 'eco-friendly'. Used in casual contexts or as a prefix (e.g., エコ活動). Not a direct translation but conveys a conservation-minded lifestyle.
エコバッグを持って買い物に行く。
I go shopping with an eco-bag.
Saving or using less energy, water, or other resources.
General term for saving or economizing. Used for money, energy, water, etc. Often combined with a resource (e.g., 節電 for electricity saving).
夏は電力の節約に協力しましょう。
Let's cooperate in conserving electricity in the summer.
節水に努めてください。
Please try to conserve water.
Abbreviation of 省エネルギー (energy conservation). Very common in daily life, product labels, and campaigns.
Preserving cultural heritage, historical buildings, or traditions.
Preservation/conservation of tangible or intangible cultural assets. Used for buildings, documents, traditions, etc.
この神社は重要文化財として保存されています。
This shrine is conserved as an important cultural property.
Protection/conservation, also used for cultural heritage, but broader than 保存. Implies active safeguarding.
伝統工芸の保護が必要だ。
Conservation of traditional crafts is necessary.
Protecting endangered species or wildlife populations.
Species conservation/preservation. Often used in biological and environmental contexts.
絶滅危惧種の保存活動に参加する。
Participate in conservation activities for endangered species.
Used for wildlife protection/conservation, often in compound words like 野生生物保護 (wildlife conservation).
野生生物保護のための法律が制定された。
A law for wildlife conservation was enacted.
保護 (ほご) means protection, often with active measures. 保存 (ほぞん) means preservation, keeping something in its current state. 保全 (ほぜん) is a formal term for conservation/maintenance of ecosystems or resources. For environmental contexts, 環境保護 is most common; for cultural assets, 保存 is typical; for biodiversity, 保全 is often used.
When talking about saving resources like electricity, water, or gas, use 節約 (せつやく) or specific compounds like 節電 (せつでん), 節水 (せっすい). 省エネ is the go-to term for energy conservation in daily life.
この地域は自然保護区に指定されています。
This area is designated as a nature conservation area.
Conservation of biodiversity is an urgent task.
省エネ家電を選ぶ。
Choose energy-conserving appliances.