砦(とりで)

とりで
noun
fortress; stronghold; bastion
writtenspokenmilitaryhistory
1. fortress; stronghold; fortification
A defensive military position or fortified structure, historically a small castle or outpost built for defense. Smaller and less elaborate than a full castle.
山(やま)の上(うえ)に砦(とりで)を築(きず)く。
To build a fortress on top of a mountain.
敵(てき)の砦(とりで)を攻(せ)め落(お)とした。
They captured the enemy's fortress.
戦国時代(せんごくじだい)には各地(かくち)に砦(とりで)が築(きず)かれた。
During the Warring States period, fortresses were built throughout the land.
2. bastion; last stronghold; bulwark
Used figuratively to describe something that serves as a final defense or a reliable place of protection, such as a principle, institution, or position that holds firm against pressure.
民主主義(みんしゅしゅぎ)の最後(さいご)の砦(とりで)だ。
It is the last bastion of democracy.
この法律(ほうりつ)は市民(しみん)の権利(けんり)を守(まも)る砦(とりで)となっている。
This law serves as a bulwark protecting citizens' rights.
彼(かれ)はチームの最後(さいご)の砦(とりで)としてゴールを守(まも)り続(つづ)けた。
He continued to guard the goal as the team's last line of defense.

Also written 砦(とりで) or 塞(とりで). The word comes from 取(と)り出(で) ('an outpost from which one sallies forth'). In Japanese military history, a 砦(とりで) was typically smaller than a 城(しろ) ('castle') — more of a tactical outpost or defensive position than a lord's stronghold.

Usage

  • The literal military sense appears primarily in historical writing and fiction.
  • The figurative 'bastion' sense is common in modern Japanese, especially in the phrase 最後(さいご)の砦(とりで) ('last bastion').
  • In sports commentary, a goalkeeper or last defender is sometimes called 最後(さいご)の砦(とりで).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 城(しろ): castle — a larger, more elaborate fortification typically serving as a lord's base
  • 要塞(ようさい): fortress; fortification — a modern or large-scale military fortification, more formal and technical
  • 城砦(じょうさい): castle and fortress — a literary compound referring to fortified positions in general

Related Words

Compare: 城(しろ) (castle)
Compare: 要塞(ようさい) (fortress)
Compare: 牙城(がじょう) (stronghold)
Compare: 城壁(じょうへき) (castle wall)
Compare: 城郭(じょうかく) (castle)
general
Added 2026.4.18 4:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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