(ようさい)

ようさい
noun
fortress, stronghold
building
1. fortress, stronghold, fortification
A heavily fortified military structure or position designed for defense. Used both for historical castles and fortifications and in modern figurative contexts for impregnable places.
(てき)要塞(ようさい)()める
To attack the enemy's fortress.
This island was once used as a military fortress.
難攻不落(なんこうふらく)要塞(ようさい)ついに陥落(かんらく)した
The impregnable fortress finally fell.

Usage

要塞(ようさい) refers specifically to fortified military positions, as opposed to (しろ) (castle), which may serve as a residence. 要塞(ようさい) emphasizes the defensive, strategic nature of the structure. The word appears frequently in historical, military, and gaming contexts. It can also be used figuratively to describe any extremely well-protected place.

Common collocations