Translation guide
The English word 'shield' can refer to a physical protective object, a metaphorical protection, or a verb meaning to protect. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
A piece of armor carried or worn to block attacks.
The standard word for a hand-held shield, used in historical, fantasy, or modern contexts (e.g., riot shields).
The knight blocked the arrow with his shield.
警察は透明な盾を持っている。
The police are holding transparent shields.
Loanword from English, often used in sci-fi, gaming, or technical contexts (e.g., energy shields).
宇宙船のシールドが起動した。
The spaceship's shield activated.
Literally 'hand shield', a small shield. Rare and mostly historical.
古代の戦士は手盾を使った。
Ancient warriors used hand shields.
Something that protects or defends, like a shield against criticism or danger.
Used metaphorically just like in English. Common in phrases like 盾になる (to become a shield, i.e., to protect someone).
彼は私の盾になってくれた。
He became my shield (protected me).
法律は弱者の盾であるべきだ。
The law should be a shield for the weak.
Literally 'defensive wall', used for something that acts as a barrier or shield, often in abstract or formal contexts.
Means 'protection' or 'defense'. Can be used in contexts like 'shield of faith' or 'protective charm'.
Pattern: 'become a shield for ~'. Very natural way to express protecting someone or something.
彼は友達の盾となって戦った。
He fought as a shield for his friends.
To protect someone or something from danger, criticism, or harm.
General verb for 'protect'. Often used with ～を～から守る (protect ~ from ~).
彼は子供たちを危険から守った。
He shielded the children from danger.
日差しから目を守るためにサングラスをかける。
I wear sunglasses to shield my eyes from the sun.
To shield or protect someone, often physically or by taking their side. Implies actively covering for someone.
Formal verb for 'defend' or 'shield'. Used in military, sports, or technical contexts.
チームはゴールを防御した。
The team shielded the goal.
Literally 'using ~ as a shield'. Often negative, meaning using something as an excuse or cover.
Can imply cowardice or unfairness.
彼は規則を盾にして責任を逃れた。
He used the rules as a shield to avoid responsibility.
A shield-shaped design, often in coats of arms or logos.
Coat of arms or heraldic emblem, often shield-shaped.
家の紋章は盾の形をしている。
The family crest is shaped like a shield.
Shield-shaped. Used in design or description.
盾形のバッジ
a shield-shaped badge
In many cases, 'shield' is better expressed with verbs like 守る or かばう rather than the noun 盾. For example, 'She shielded her eyes from the sun' is naturally 彼女は日差しから目を守った, not 彼女は目に盾をした.
盾 (たて) is the traditional Japanese word for a physical shield, used in history, fantasy, and modern policing. シールド is a loanword common in sci-fi, gaming, and technology (e.g., energy shields, heat shields). Use 盾 for most everyday and metaphorical uses.
警察は群衆を制御するために盾を使った。
The police used shields to control the crowd.
彼は友達を非難からかばった。
He shielded his friend from the blame.
その政策はインフレに対する防壁となった。
The policy became a shield against inflation.
このお守りは厄除けの守りです。
This amulet is a shield against evil.
He shielded his fallen comrade.