Meaning and Usage
The verb 守る (まもる) primarily means "to protect" or "to guard." It is used when talking about protecting people, things, or abstract concepts like rules and promises. It can refer to physical protection, such as guarding someone from danger, or to more abstract protection, like keeping promises or obeying laws.
Common Collocations
- 約束を守る (やくそくをまもる): to keep a promise
- 法律を守る (ほうりつをまもる): to obey the law
- 秘密を守る (ひみつをまもる): to keep a secret
These collocations are very common and useful in daily conversation and formal contexts.
Register and Politeness
守る is a standard verb used in both casual and formal speech. When used in polite contexts, it is often combined with ます-form (守ります).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 守る with 保護する (ほごする), which also means "to protect." 守る is more general and can be used for abstract concepts like promises and rules, while 保護する is more formal and often used for physical or legal protection.
Summary
Use 守る when you want to express protecting or keeping something safe, whether it is a person, a promise, or a rule. Remember its common collocations to sound natural and clear in conversation.