Defend in different languages

Defend in Different Languages

Discover 'Defend' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'defend' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting the act of protecting something or someone from harm or danger. This concept is universal, making it a crucial part of many languages and cultures around the world.

Throughout history, defense has played a pivotal role in shaping societies, from military strategies to legal systems. The notion of defending one's rights, beliefs, or territory has been a central theme in many historical events, stories, and philosophies.

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, understanding the translation of 'defend' in different languages can help bridge cultural gaps and foster global communication. For instance, in Spanish, 'defend' is 'defender', while in French, it's 'défendre'. In German, the word is 'verteidigen', and in Japanese, it's '護衛する' (go-ei suru).

Exploring the translations of 'defend' offers a unique perspective on how different cultures approach the concept of protection and self-preservation. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of language and culture through the lens of this important word.

Defend


Defend in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansverdedig
Verdedig means 'green' or 'vegetable' in the 1602 Bible translation by Jan van der Linde, but the modern meaning is 'defend'.
Amharicተከላከል
The word "ተከላከል" (defend) in Amharic shares its root with other words like "ተከላ" (depend on) and "መከል" (ask).
Hausakare
Kare is often used figuratively or metaphorically in Hausa to refer to the protection of one's honor or dignity.
Igbochebe
In Igbo, the word "chebe" can also mean "to protect" or "to shield".
Malagasyhiaro
The Malagasy word "hiaro" also means "to deny" and "to conceal".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kuteteza
Etymology: Probably from the Proto-Bantu root *-teteza 'to protect'.
Shonakudzivirira
In addition to its primary meaning of "defend," kudzivirira can also mean "to protect" or "to guard."
Somalidifaaco
The word "difaaco" also means "protection" in Somali.
Sesothosireletsa
The word "sireletsa" in Sesotho can also mean "to guard" or "to protect".
Swahilikutetea
The word "kutetea" also refers to the action of protecting or shielding something.
Xhosakhusela
The word "khusela" in Xhosa also means "to be brave".
Yorubagbeja
Gbeja is a Yoruba term meaning 'support' or 'uphold', derived from the word 'gba' meaning 'take' and 'ja' meaning 'fight' or 'resist'.
Zuluvikela
"Vikela" can also mean "be careful" or "be cautious" in Zulu, highlighting the connection between defense and personal safety.
Bambaraka lakana
Eweʋli ta
Kinyarwandakurengera
Lingalakobunda
Lugandaokuwolereza
Sepedišireletša
Twi (Akan)bɔ ban

Defend in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالدفاع
Etymology: from (دَفَعَ (dafa‘a - to ward off or prevent - cognate with the English "defend" which has the same origin.
Hebrewלְהַגֵן
"לְהַגֵן" also refers to gardening or working on a plot of land.
Pashtoدفاع
The word "دفاع" (defend) in Pashto also means "protection" or "shelter".
Arabicالدفاع
Etymology: from (دَفَعَ (dafa‘a - to ward off or prevent - cognate with the English "defend" which has the same origin.

Defend in Western European Languages

Albanianmbroj
It is also sometimes used in the sense of protecting or safeguarding.
Basquedefendatu
The word 'defendatu' also means 'to protect' in Basque.
Catalandefensar
The Catalan word 'defensar' also means 'to support' or 'to protect', sharing its etymology with the Latin verb 'defendere' meaning 'to ward off'
Croatianbraniti
The word "braniti" in Croatian also has the meaning of "to protect" or "to guard".
Danishforsvare
The word “forsvare” was originally used in the sense of “to answer” or “to justify”.
Dutchverdedigen
The Dutch verb 'verdedigen' (defend) comes from the noun 'verdediging' (defense), which in turn comes from the Latin verb 'defendere' (to ward off).
Englishdefend
Defend is derived from the Latin word "defendere", meaning to ward off or protect.
Frenchdéfendre
The French verb "défendre" can also mean to forbid or prohibit something.
Frisianferdigenje
The etymology of the word "ferdigenje" is unclear, but it may be related to the Old Frisian word "ferdigena" meaning "to protect" or "to defend".
Galiciandefender
In Galician, "defender" can also refer to a legal guardian appointed for a minor or a person with a disability.
Germanverteidigen
"Verteidigen" originally comes from the verb "dingen". It meant "to hire". Someone who was hired to fight or protect was called a "Dingmann".
Icelandicverja
Although it is pronounced "verja" in Icelandic, it has no relation to the Spanish word "verja" (meaning "fence" or "grating").
Irishchosaint
The Irish word "chosaint" originally meant "to protect" or "to shelter".
Italiandifendere
In Italian, "difendere" can also mean "to shield" or "to protect".
Luxembourgishverdeedegen
The word "verdeedegen" in Luxembourgish is derived from the Old High German word "fartedingen", meaning "to protect or guard".
Maltesetiddefendi
In the past, the word 'tiddefendi' was used to mean 'protect' and 'preserve'.
Norwegianforsvare
"Forsvare" is also used in Norwegian to describe protecting one's honor or reputation.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)defender
"Defender" comes from the Latin verb "defendere" which means "to protect" but it can also mean "to forbid, prohibit".
Scots Gaelicdìon
The noun dìon also means "shelter, protection" or "stronghold, fort" in Scots Gaelic.
Spanishdefender
Defender can also mean “to prohibit” and “to prevent” in Spanish.
Swedishförsvara
The word "försvara" comes from the Old Norse word "varð", meaning "to guard", and is also related to the German word "wehren" and the English word "ward".
Welshamddiffyn
The word "amddiffyn" in Welsh derives from the Proto-Celtic root *kom-defend-, meaning "to protect" or "to cover".

Defend in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianабараняць
"Абараняць" comes from the Slavic root "oboron-", which also gave rise to the Russian word "оборонять" and the Polish word "obronić".
Bosnianbraniti
The word "braniti" also means "to protect" and is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *borniti, which means "to fight".
Bulgarianзащитавам
The word "защитавам" comes from Slavic, and originally meant "to hold back" or "to bar".
Czechhájit
The word "hájit" can also refer to throwing something, such as a stone or a javelin.
Estoniankaitsma
The word "kaitsma" in Estonian is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "*kojˀt-," which originally meant "to hide" or "to protect."
Finnishpuolustaa
Puolustaa, from root *puol*, means to 'stick to' or 'hold on to,' implying defense as a means of retention.
Hungarianmegvédeni
The Hungarian word "megvédeni" is a compound word, formed from the words "meg" (denoting completion) and "védeni" (meaning "to guard", "to protect").
Latvianaizstāvēt
The Latvian word "aizstāvēt" has an interesting etymology, possibly originating from the Old Prussian "astans" (meaning "stand") or the Sanskrit "stav" (meaning "to praise").
Lithuanianginti
Lithuanian word "ginti" also means "to graze" and originates from the hypothetical Proto-Indo-European root *gʰendh- meaning "to hold tightly".
Macedonianбрани
The word "брани" in Macedonian can also refer to a fence or a border, as it derives from the Proto-Slavic word *borniti, meaning "to protect or defend."
Polishbronić
In the language of the Prussians, the name of the Supreme God is *Bruntas* - a defender, guardian.
Romanianapăra
The Romanian word "apăra" also means "to appear" or "to be seen".
Russianзащищать
The verb “защищать” comes from the Old Russian “щитити”, meaning “to cover with a shield or other protective gear”
Serbianбранити
The verb 'бранити' can also mean 'to forbid'.
Slovakbrániť sa
Brániť sa may also mean to protect, maintain, uphold, keep, or preserve.
Slovenianbraniti
In archaic or literary use, "braniti" also means to forbid.
Ukrainianзахищати
The Ukrainian word for "defend" has also meanings of "shield", "protect", and "guard".

Defend in South Asian Languages

Bengaliরক্ষা করা
The word "রক্ষা করা" can also mean "to protect" or "to guard".
Gujaratiકોઈ રન નોંધાયો નહીં
The word "defend" comes from the Latin word "defendere," which means "to ward off" or "to protect."
Hindiबचाव
The word "बचाव" (bachaav) can also mean "to save" or "to protect".
Kannadaರಕ್ಷಿಸಿ
The word "ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रक्ष" (rakṣa), meaning "to protect" or "to guard".
Malayalamപ്രതിരോധിക്കുക
Marathiबचाव
The Marathi word 'बचाव' translates to both 'defense' and 'protection', suggesting its dual role as a shield and a safeguard.
Nepaliरक्षा गर्नुहोस्
"रक्षा गर्नुहोस्" is also used in the sense of "to protect" or "to guard" something.
Punjabiਬਚਾਓ
The word "ਬਚਾਓ" can also mean "to save" or "to protect" in Punjabi.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ආරක්ෂා කරන්න
Tamilபாதுகாக்க
The word "பாதுகாக்க" in Tamil is also used to convey the idea of guarding, preserving, or protecting something of value.
Teluguరక్షించు
The word 'రక్షించు' (rakshinchu) is derived from the Sanskrit root 'रक्ष्' (raksh), meaning 'to protect'.
Urduدفاع
In Urdu, "دفاع" can also mean "support" or "protection".

Defend in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)捍卫
The character "卫" (wei) in "捍卫" originally meant "to protect", hence the meaning of "defending".
Chinese (Traditional)保衛
The character "保" in "保衛" represents protection through wrapping and covering, while "衛" means shielding and guarding an area or person from danger.
Japanese守る
The word "守る" (mamoru) can also mean "to keep" or "to guard".
Korean지키다
"지키다" can also mean "to wait for" or "to keep something in the same place."
Mongolianхамгаалах
The word "хамгаалах" can also mean "to protect", "to shield", or "to guard".
Myanmar (Burmese)ခုခံကာကွယ်ပါ

Defend in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmembela
The word "membela" is derived from the Sanskrit word "mandal", which means "circle" or "assembly".
Javanesembela
The word "mbela" can also mean "to protect" or "to guard".
Khmerការពារ
The term "ការពារ" can refer to defending both a position or argument and physical protection.
Laoປ້ອງກັນ
Malaymempertahankan
"Mempertahankan" comes from the Malay root word "tahan," meaning "to withstand," and shares its root with "tahan sakit" (endurance), "tahan lapar" (resilience), and "tahan uji" (steadfastness).
Thaiป้องกัน
The word "ป้องกัน" (defend) also means to obstruct or prevent something from happening.
Vietnamesephòng thủ
Phòng thủ also means "prevention" in Vietnamese, with a similar etymology to "quarantine".
Filipino (Tagalog)ipagtanggol

Defend in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimüdafiə etmək
The word "müdafiə etmək" in Azerbaijani can also mean "to protect", "to guard", or "to support".
Kazakhқорғау
The word "қорғау" also means "protect" or "shelter" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzкоргоо
The word "коргоо" also means "protection", "shield", and "fence" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikдифоъ кунед
"Difo' kuned" is the Tajik word for "to defend". It is derived from the Persian word "defend", which means "to protect or guard".
Turkmengoramak
Uzbekhimoya qilmoq
The word "himoya qilmoq" is derived from the Persian word "himāyat" (protection).
Uyghurمۇداپىئە

Defend in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpale aku
Although in most contexts "pale aku" means "defend", it can also mean "protect" or "rescue".
Maoriparepare
The word "parepare" in Maori can also refer to a fortified place or a defensive line.
Samoanpuipuia
The word “puipuia” means “to defend” in Samoan, and is derived from the root word “puipui” meaning “to protect”.
Tagalog (Filipino)ipagtanggol
The word "ipagtanggol" is a verb in Tagalog that means "to defend", but it can also refer to the act of sheltering, protecting, or safeguarding something or someone.

Defend in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraarxataña
Guaranipysyrõ

Defend in International Languages

Esperantodefendi
The Esperanto word 'defendi' is derived from the Latin verb 'defendere', meaning 'to protect' or 'to guard'.
Latindefendere
The Latin verb "defendere" also means "to ward off" or "to forbid".

Defend in Others Languages

Greekυπερασπίζω
The term υπερασπίζω, meaning literally 'to cover with one's shield,' was also used as a legal phrase meaning 'to plead someone's case in court.'
Hmongtiv thaiv
The word "tiv thaiv" can also mean "prevent" or "protect" in Hmong.
Kurdishparastin
The Kurdish word "parastin" is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian root "*parastā-," which also gave rise to the English word "protection".
Turkishsavunmak
The word "savunmak" also means "to prevent" in Turkish.
Xhosakhusela
The word "khusela" in Xhosa also means "to be brave".
Yiddishבאַשיצן
The Yiddish word "באַשיצן" (bashitsn) is derived from the Middle High German word "beschützen" (to protect, defend), which in turn comes from the Old High German word "biscotti" (to cover, protect).
Zuluvikela
"Vikela" can also mean "be careful" or "be cautious" in Zulu, highlighting the connection between defense and personal safety.
Assameseপ্ৰতিৰক্ষা
Aymaraarxataña
Bhojpuriरक्षा कईल
Dhivehiދިފާޢުވުން
Dogriहिफाजत करना
Filipino (Tagalog)ipagtanggol
Guaranipysyrõ
Ilocanodepensaan
Krioprotɛkt
Kurdish (Sorani)بەرگری کردن
Maithiliरक्षा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯉꯥꯛꯊꯣꯛꯄ
Mizoin veng
Oromoirraa ittisuu
Odia (Oriya)ରକ୍ଷା କର
Quechuaharkay
Sanskritरक्ष्
Tatarяклау
Tigrinyaምክልኻል
Tsongasirhelela

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