What is the difference between 護る and 守る?


Is there any difference in meaning between 護{まも}る and 守{まも}る? When there are
multiple kanji for a particular reading (like 暑{あつ}い/熱{あつ}い or 初{はじ}め/始{はじ}め),
they are frequently used in different situations (hot weather/hot to touch or
first time/start). According to the dictionaries (jisho.org and a pocket
dictionary) 守{まも}る is more common, but the story I'm reading now is using
護{まも}る. So I was wondering if there would be any particular reason for using 護
over 守.




Basically 守る is the more general and common word for "protecting, guarding, or
keeping someone / something."

The 訓読み 「[護る]{まもる}」 is not listed in 常用漢字表 (thus it's not taught in schools),
and it can be only specifically used to protect/guard something from foreign
attacks.

  * 約束{やくそく｝を守る ( _keep a promise_ ): Good
  * 約束を護る: Not good
  * 秘密{ひみつ}を守る ( _keep a secret_ ): Good
  * 秘密を護る: Not good
  * 法律｛ほうりつ｝を守る ( _uphold/obey the law_ ): Good
  * 法律を護る: Not good, or maybe OK if you mean "to protect the law itself from being altered badly"

  * 祖国{そこく}を守る/護る ( _protect the homeland_ ): OK

  * 打撃{だげき}から身{み}を守る/護る ( _protect oneself from damage_ ): OK
  * サッカーのゴールを守る/護る ( _guard the goal_ ): OK

Personally, I always use 守る for all those purposes, and regard 護る as the word
only for novelists or songwriters.




Basically 守る is the more general and common word for "protecting, guarding, or
keeping someone / something."

The 訓読み 「[護る]{まもる}」 is not listed in 常用漢字表 (thus it's not taught in schools),
and it can be only specifically used to protect/guard something from foreign
attacks.

  * 約束{やくそく｝を守る ( _keep a promise_ ): Good
  * 約束を護る: Not good
  * 秘密{ひみつ}を守る ( _keep a secret_ ): Good
  * 秘密を護る: Not good
  * 法律｛ほうりつ｝を守る ( _uphold/obey the law_ ): Good
  * 法律を護る: Not good, or maybe OK if you mean "to protect the law itself from being altered badly"

  * 祖国{そこく}を守る/護る ( _protect the homeland_ ): OK

  * 打撃{だげき}から身{み}を守る/護る ( _protect oneself from damage_ ): OK
  * サッカーのゴールを守る/護る ( _guard the goal_ ): OK

Personally, I always use 守る for all those purposes, and regard 護る as the word
only for novelists or songwriters.

