要塞(ようさい)

ようさい
noun
fortress, stronghold
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.
敵(てき)の要塞(ようさい)を攻(せ)める。
To attack the enemy's fortress.
この島(しま)はかつて軍事(ぐんじ)要塞(ようさい)として使(つか)われていた。
This island was once used as a military fortress.
難攻不落(なんこうふらく)の要塞(ようさい)がついに陥落(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 城(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:

  • 要塞(ようさい)を築(きず)く: to build a fortress
  • 要塞(ようさい)を攻略(こうりゃく)する: to conquer a fortress
  • 軍事(ぐんじ)要塞(ようさい): military fortress
  • 難攻不落(なんこうふらく)の要塞(ようさい): impregnable fortress
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:48
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