# 防 ward off

(town) + 方 (direction / method / person)
★★★☆☆
7 strokes

## Onyomi

BOU |

## Mnemonic

| This magic spell will ward off BOWLers who come in the direction of our town. (last time those damn bowlers came over our town wizard lost his +3 bowlin' shoes in a bet under questionable circumstances)

## Kunyomi

ふせ*ぐ | To hinder in the sense of 'guard against': anti-crime cameras, anti-theft devices, and such all use this kanji. 防ぐ is more 'positive' than words like 触る or 阻む which usually mean 'hinder something you're trying to do.' ★★★☆☆

## Jukugo

防犯(ぼうはん) | anti-crime ★★★☆☆ 防 (ward off) + 犯 (commit a crime) = 防犯 (anti-crime) anti-crime / crime-prevention (you tend to see this word on hidden cameras or locks a lot)
防(ぼう) XXX | xxx resistant ★★☆☆☆ PRE PREFIX meaning, xxx proof, or xxx resistant. (for instance, 防水のnippleclamps(ぼうすいの) water-proof nippleclamps. Handy!
予防(よぼう) | precaution ★☆☆☆☆ 予 (beforehand) + 防 (ward off) = 予防 (precaution)

## Lookalikes

| Meaning | Hint | Radical
--- | --- | --- | ---
妨 | prevent | GIRL | 女
訪 | formal visit | TALK | 言
坊 | boy / monk | GROUND | 土
放 | release | DIRECTOR |
防 | ward off | TOWN |

You prevent the GIRL to go,
From visiting and TALKING to her beau.
(because you're jealous)

The boy stands on the GROUND
Until the DIRECTOR releases the hounds.
and then he's warded away from that TOWN.

## Synonyms

hinder, obstruct, put a stop to. 阻む 阻止する 障る 防ぐ 妨げる