Meaning and Usage
The word 保障 (ほしょう) primarily means "guarantee," "security," or "warranty." It is often used in contexts where something is assured or protected, such as product warranties, safety measures, or legal rights.
Common Contexts
- Product warranties: Companies use 保障 to indicate the period or conditions under which a product is guaranteed.
- Security and safety: It can refer to measures taken to ensure safety or protection.
- Legal and social rights: It is used to describe the protection or guarantee of rights and freedoms.
Collocations and Patterns
- 品質保障 (ひんしつほしょう): quality guarantee, often seen in product descriptions.
- 安全保障 (あんぜんほしょう): security assurance, used in contexts like national security or workplace safety.
- 権利を保障する (けんりをほしょうする): to guarantee rights, common in legal or social discussions.
Register and Nuance
保障 is a formal noun and is commonly used in written and formal spoken Japanese, such as business, legal, or official contexts. It is less common in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 保障 with 保証 (ほしょう), which also means "guarantee" but is more about promises or warranties related to products or services. 保障 emphasizes protection or securing rights, while 保証 focuses on promises or assurances.