1.
self-defensive; for self-protection; defensive in nature
Describes an action, measure, or attitude that is intended to protect oneself — one's body, rights, interests, or organization — from harm or attack. Applies both to physical self-defense and to more abstract situations like protective political, legal, or business measures.
自衛的な行動。
A self-defensive action.
これは自衛的な措置だ。
This is a defensive measure for self-protection.
攻撃に備えて自衛的な体制を整える。
Build up a defensive posture to prepare for attacks.
政府は、この措置はあくまで自衛的なものであり、攻撃の意図はないと強調した。
The government emphasized that this measure is purely self-defensive and that there is no intent to attack.
Composed of 自衛 (self-defense) and the suffix 的 (-ic; -like). The 的 suffix converts a noun into a na-adjective meaning "of the nature of," so 自衛的 means "of a self-defensive character."
USAGE:
A formal word used mainly in political, military, legal, and business writing — it appears frequently in news discussions of defense policy, company press releases about protective legal action, and essays on security. Modifies nouns like 行動 (action), 措置 (measure), 手段 (means), and 反応 (reaction). As a predicate it pairs with だ/な: この措置は自衛的だ / 自衛的な措置.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自衛的な措置: a self-defensive measure
- 自衛的な行動: a self-defensive action
- 自衛的な反応: a defensive reaction
- 自衛的手段: means of self-defense
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 防衛的: defensive — a very close synonym; 防衛 emphasizes defending something external (territory, ideas), while 自衛 emphasizes protecting oneself
- 防御的: defensive (posture) — more physical or tactical, often used in sports or warfare
- 攻撃的: offensive; aggressive — the direct antonym
- 自衛: self-defense (noun) — the base noun from which this adjective is derived