1.
overprotective; spoiling; coddling
Protecting or caring for someone (especially a child) to an excessive degree, to the point where it hinders their independence or growth. Almost always carries a negative or critical nuance.
うちの親は過保護だ。
My parents are overprotective.
過保護に育てると、子供の自立が遅れる。
If you raise children in an overprotective way, their independence will be delayed.
心配する気持ちは分かるが、あまり過保護にするのもよくない。
I understand the feeling of worry, but being too overprotective isn't good either.
Literally 過 (excessive) + 保護 (protection). Almost always used critically to describe parenting that goes too far. Can also be used as a noun.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 過保護な親 (overprotective parent)
- 過保護に育てる (to raise overprotectively)
- 過保護にする (to be overprotective toward)
RELATED WORDS:
- 過干渉 — over-interfering (more about controlling behavior than shielding)
- モンスターペアレント — monster parent (aggressive toward schools/institutions)
- ヘリコプターペアレント — helicopter parent (borrowed from English)