"Protect" and "Preserve"

[Shinishi]

What is the difference of the word "Protect" and "Preserve" ? Especially when it is used to mean protecting something. Sorry if my English is strange. (Preserve: to save something or someone from being harmed or destroyed, to make something continue without changing. / Protect: to keep someone of something safe from harm, damage, or illness, to prevent someone of something from being harmed or damaged.) It looks just the same!

[snook]

The words can often be used more or less interchangeably, but there are times when one is more appropriate than the other.

You can preserve something merely by making sure it does not change. This can sometimes be done for historical reasons, for example, preserving an old building because it has architectural merit or because it gives us an insight into how people lived in days gone by. Preserve is generally used when referring to things.

Protect is often used when referring to a person, as in, protect someone from harm or disease, although it can refer to things too, as in, to protect wood from weathering by using varnish.

I hope this hasn't added to your confusion!

[waimarie]

Just to extend Snook's answer. As he says, 'preserve' is to prevent or avoid change. Apart from his examples of buildings and structures, the term may be used for items of food which have been preserved (in this case to avoid deterioration). Examples would be tinned foods, smoked, salted, etc.

[jno]

yes, you wouldn't preserve a person (unless of course you'd cut him up into little pieces and wanted to keep him to eat later), but you might protect him. I think the definition you give isn't quite right in that respect. You might perhaps talk of God preserving someone, but even that would sound rather old-fashioned.

[Shinishi]

Thank you very much for all your answers!

[Shinishi]

I am not sure if I am understanding correctly, since my lack of English ability. But it was a great help. Ask me about Japanese things anytime you want! ....not sure if this service can contact someone directly.

[snook]

Domo arigato, Shinishi, most kind of you. And of course any more questions from you are welcomed. I only hope we manage to be a bit clearer next time (English is quite difficult, sometimes even for us!).