防波堤(ぼうはてい)

ぼうはてい
noun
breakwater; seawall
naturebuilding
1. breakwater; seawall
A structure built along a coast or harbor to protect against waves and storm surges.
防波堤(ぼうはてい)で釣(つ)りをする。
To fish from the breakwater.
台風(たいふう)で防波堤(ぼうはてい)が壊(こわ)れた。
The seawall was damaged by the typhoon.
港(みなと)を守(まも)るために大(おお)きな防波堤(ぼうはてい)が築(きず)かれた。
A large breakwater was built to protect the harbor.
2. bulwark; barrier (figurative)
Something that serves as a protective barrier against threats or harmful influences.
法律(ほうりつ)は犯罪(はんざい)に対(たい)する防波堤(ぼうはてい)だ。
The law is a bulwark against crime.
教育(きょういく)こそが差別(さべつ)への防波堤(ぼうはてい)になる。
Education itself becomes a barrier against discrimination.
地域(ちいき)の絆(きずな)は災害(さいがい)に対(たい)する最大(さいだい)の防波堤(ぼうはてい)である。
Community bonds are the greatest bulwark against disasters.

A compound of 防(ぼう) (protect against), 波(は) (waves), and 堤(てい) (embankment; levee). In Japan, breakwaters are a common sight at harbors and along the coast, often used as popular fishing spots. The figurative sense is frequently used in news and editorials.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 堤防(ていぼう): levee; embankment — built along rivers to prevent flooding, while 防波堤(ぼうはてい) is for ocean waves
  • 護岸(ごがん): revetment; shore protection — reinforcement of riverbanks or coastlines
  • 防潮堤(ぼうちょうてい): tidal barrier; storm surge wall — specifically designed against tidal surges and tsunamis

Related Words

Compare: 堤防(ていぼう) (levee)
Compare: 防護壁(ぼうごへき) (protective wall)
general
Added 2026.4.28 22:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25941_bouhatei