verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 守衛
to guard · to defend · guard · sentinel
Meaning
守卫 means to guard or protect a place, person, or thing, or refers to a person who performs this duty (a guard or sentinel). It implies active vigilance and defense, commonly used in military, security, or formal protective contexts.
Usage
守卫 is used in formal or serious contexts when discussing protection of important places, borders, or people. As a verb, it often takes 着 (zhe) to show continuous action. As a noun, it refers to guards or sentinels in official capacities, such as palace guards or border guards.
Examples
- 01士兵们日夜守卫着边境。.The soldiers guard the border day and night.
- 02宫殿门口有两名守卫站岗。.There are two guards standing watch at the palace entrance.
Characters
Measure words
- 名三名守卫
- 个一个守卫
Common collocations
- 守卫边疆to guard the border
- 守卫国家to defend the nation
- 站岗守卫to stand guard
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to protection: 守 originally depicted a person watching over a dwelling, while 卫 shows defensive action. Together they emphasize the active duty of guarding.