Definition

1. Noun:
   • Shield: A piece of armor, historically made of wood, metal, or leather, held in the hand or on the arm to protect the body from weapons in battle.
   • Shield / Guard / Protective plate: A flat, plate-like part attached to a weapon, machine, or vehicle to protect it or its operator from damage, debris, or impact. For example, a shield on a cannon or a fender on a truck.
   • Barrier / Protective layer: Something that acts as a defense or obstacle against external attack, danger, or negative influence. This can be physical (like a defensive perimeter) or abstract (like a legal defense).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người lính cầm lá chắn bằng gỗ. (The soldier held a wooden shield.)
  • Chiếc xe tải có lá chắn bùn rất chắc chắn. (The truck has a very sturdy mud guard.)
  • Hệ thống phòng không đóng vai trò lá chắn cho thành phố. (The air defense system acts as a shield for the city.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lá chắn tên lửa": Missile shield (a defensive system designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles).
  • Quốc gia này đang phát triển một lá chắn tên lửa tầm xa. (This country is developing a long-range missile shield.)
• "Lá chắn pháp lý": Legal shield (laws or legal structures that provide protection).
  • Công ty tìm kiếm một lá chắn pháp lý để tránh các vụ kiện. (The company sought a legal shield to avoid lawsuits.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khiên (n): A more classical or literary synonym for "shield" in the martial/armor context.
  • Vị anh hùng giương cao khiên của mình. (The hero raised his shield high.)
• Mộc (n): Another traditional word for a shield, often implying it is made of wood.
  • Người lính dùng mộc để đỡ mũi tên. (The soldier used a wooden shield to block the arrow.)

Synonyms

• Shield: A broad term for a protective object or system.
• Guard: A device or part that provides protection.
• Barrier: A structure that blocks or defends.
• Protection: The general state of being defended.

Related Idioms

• (Làm/Đóng vai) lá chắn sống: To act as a human shield (to physically place oneself in harm's way to protect someone or something else).
  • Người mẹ sẵn sàng làm lá chắn sống cho đứa con của mình. (The mother was ready to act as a human shield for her child.)

noun

1. shield