1.
fortress; citadel; stronghold
A fortified structure or walled enclosure built for military defense. Used for both Japanese and foreign fortifications.
丘の上に城塞がそびえている。
A fortress towers atop the hill.
中世の城塞が今も残っている。
A medieval fortress still remains today.
敵は難攻不落の城塞に立てこもった。
The enemy holed up in an impregnable fortress.
USAGE:
A literary and historical term. Often used in descriptions of European castles, Middle Eastern fortresses, or historical military structures. In modern usage, sometimes used figuratively to describe something that is well-defended or impenetrable.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 城: castle (the most common word for Japanese castles)
- 要塞: fortress (emphasizes military function)
- 砦: fort, small fortress (smaller scale)