防ぐ

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 防ぐ is read as ふせぐ and is a transitive verb meaning to block an intrusion or prevent an accident or danger.
• Basic usage: Preventing cold wind from entering appears in 風が入るのを防ぐ, while preventing an accident appears in 事故を防ぐ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Nominalizing an event with のを
  • The pattern 風が入るのを防ぐ uses the nominalizer の with object particle を when the prevented content is a clause.
• Difference from 守る
  • Unlike the broad verb for protecting a person or observing a rule, this verb focuses on stopping a harmful event or intrusion.