hon5 wai6捍衞捍卫

Jyutpinghon5 wai6

Yalehónh waih

Definition

To defend; to safeguard

neutralother

How it's used

This term carries a strong sense of duty and moral weight, often appearing in formal or serious contexts like political discourse, legal rights, or core values. Unlike simpler verbs for protection, it implies an active, sometimes combative stance against an external threat or challenge. It is rarely used for protecting physical objects or people in a casual sense, where words like 保護 are much more natural.

Examples

ngo5 dei6 jat1 ding6 jiu3 hon2 wai6 zi6 gei2 ge3 kyun4 lei6

我哋一定要捍衞自己嘅權利。

We must defend our own rights.

nei5 dim2 joeng2 hon2 wai6 ni1 go3 gam3 zung6 jiu3 ge3 jyun4 zak1 aa4

你點樣捍衞呢個咁重要嘅原則呀？

How do you defend such an important principle?

Common phrases

hon2 wai6 kyun4 lei6

捍衞權利

to defend rights

hon2 wai6 zi6 jau4

捍衞自由

to defend freedom

hon2 wai6 zyun1 jim4

捍衞尊嚴

to defend dignity

Common mistake

Learners often use this word for everyday protection, such as protecting a child or a physical item, which sounds overly dramatic or unnatural. Stick to using it for abstract concepts like rights, freedom, or principles.