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.
山の上に砦を築く。
To build a fortress on top of a mountain.
敵の砦を攻め落とした。
They captured the enemy's fortress.
戦国時代には各地に砦が築かれた。
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.
民主主義の最後の砦だ。
It is the last bastion of democracy.
この法律は市民の権利を守る砦となっている。
This law serves as a bulwark protecting citizens' rights.
彼はチームの最後の砦としてゴールを守り続けた。
He continued to guard the goal as the team's last line of defense.
Also written 砦 or 塞. The word comes from 取り出 ('an outpost from which one sallies forth'). In Japanese military history, a 砦 was typically smaller than a 城 ('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 最後の砦 ('last bastion').
- In sports commentary, a goalkeeper or last defender is sometimes called 最後の砦.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 砦を築く: to build a fortress
- 砦を守る: to defend a stronghold
- 最後の砦: last bastion; last line of defense
- 砦を攻める: to attack a fortress
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 城: castle — a larger, more elaborate fortification typically serving as a lord's base
- 要塞: fortress; fortification — a modern or large-scale military fortification, more formal and technical
- 城砦: castle and fortress — a literary compound referring to fortified positions in general