保(たも)つ

たもつ
verb (godan)
to maintain; to keep
1. to maintain; to keep; to preserve
To keep something in a certain state or condition over time. Used for maintaining health, relationships, appearances, or standards.
良(よ)い姿勢(しせい)を保(たも)ちたい。
I want to maintain good posture.
健康(けんこう)を保(たも)つために運動(うんどう)する。
I exercise to maintain my health.
距離(きょり)を保(たも)つ。
To keep one's distance.

TRANSITIVITY: Transitive (他動詞(たどうし)).

ASPECT: 保(たも)っている indicates ongoing maintenance of a state.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • Xを保(たも)つ (to maintain X)
  • 健康(けんこう)を保(たも)つ (to maintain health)
  • 品質(ひんしつ)を保(たも)つ (to maintain quality)
  • 関係(かんけい)を保(たも)つ (to maintain a relationship)
  • 距離(きょり)を保(たも)つ (to keep distance)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 維持(いじ)する (to maintain - more formal)
  • 守(まも)る (to protect/keep)
general
Added 2026.2.5 17:37
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