95750
> 彼 **の元で** 護衛を務める。

Does it mean "for", "on behalf of", "in the name of"? Or "under the guidance
of"?

What's the difference between that and の下で?

Can I replace で with に?
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2022-08-10T05:08:16.663
95749
2022-08-10T06:53:02.713
41400
question
meaning usage nuances
What does の元で mean?
I think it is using a wrong kanji, strictly speaking.

  * [元](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E6%9C%AC_%28%E3%82%82%E3%81%A8%29/#jn-219563) refers to _source_ like 怪我が元で仕事を辞めた

  * [下](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E4%B8%8B_%28%E3%82%82%E3%81%A8%29/) means _under_. Could be written also as 許.

彼の下{もと}で護衛を務める could mean (1) _to work as a guard for him_ or (2) _to work as
a guard under him ( "he" is also a guard)_. To me, 彼の下{した}で makes the
interpretation (2) more likely.

Regarding the particle, here 務める means a state rather than a movement, so で is
much more natural. 下に works better for action like 彼の下に集まる (gather around him
as a leader). Also, a phrase like 法の下に平等である (equal under the law) is natural
despite its being a state, but this kind of に should be only for
written/strained expressions.
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2022-08-10T06:53:02.713
95750
2022-08-10T06:53:02.713
45489
95749
answer