過 保 護(かほご)

かほご

na-adjective

overprotective; spoiling

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(おや)は過保護(かほご)だ。

My parents are overprotective.

過保護(かほご)に育(そだ)てると、子供(こども)の自立(じりつ)が遅(おく)れる。

If you raise children in an overprotective way, their independence will be delayed.

心配(しんぱい)する気持(きも)ちは分(わ)かるが、あまり過保護(かほご)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(か) (excessive) + 保護(ほご) (protection). Almost always used critically to describe parenting that goes too far. Can also be used as a noun.

Common patterns

過保護(かほご)な親(おや) (overprotective parent)
過保護(かほご)に育(そだ)てる (to raise overprotectively)
過保護(かほご)にする (to be overprotective toward)

Related words

過干渉(かかんしょう) — 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)

Related Words

Compare: 過干渉(かかんしょう) (over-interfering)

Compare: 甘(あま)やかし (spoiling)

general

Added 2026.3.3 18:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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