(ぼうへき)

ぼうへき
noun
defensive wall; barrier
1. defensive wall; barrier
a wall or barrier built for protection or defense, used both literally and figuratively
(しろ)(まわ)りに防壁(ぼうへき)(きず)かれた。
A defensive wall was built around the castle.
ウイルスに(たい)する防壁(ぼうへき)強化(きょうか)する。
To strengthen the barrier against viruses.
言葉(ことば)(かべ)異文化(いぶんか)理解(りかい)(おお)きな防壁(ぼうへき)となっている。
The language barrier has become a major obstacle to cross-cultural understanding.

A wall or barrier constructed for defensive purposes. Used literally for physical fortifications and figuratively for anything that serves as a protective or obstructive barrier. More formal and literary than the everyday word (かべ).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 防壁(ぼうへき)(きず)く: to build a defensive wall
  • 防壁(ぼうへき)(やぶ)る: to break through a barrier
  • 防壁(ぼうへき)強化(きょうか)する: to strengthen a barrier

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (かべ): wall — general everyday word for any wall
  • 城壁(じょうへき): castle wall — specifically fortification walls of a castle
  • 障壁(しょうへき): barrier/obstacle — emphasizes the obstructive quality, often used figuratively for trade barriers and the like
  • 堤防(ていぼう): embankment/levee — specifically for flood protection