1.
securing, obtaining, ensuring
The act of making sure something necessary is obtained or maintained. Used for resources, safety, space, personnel, and other things that require deliberate effort to guarantee.
安全を確保する。
To ensure safety.
駐車場のスペースを確保しておいた。
I secured a parking space in advance.
人手不足の中、十分な人員を確保するのは難しい。
It's difficult to secure enough personnel amid a labor shortage.
USAGE:
A very common word in business, news, and official contexts. Used with a wide range of objects: 安全 (safety), 予算 (budget), 人材 (talent), スペース (space), 時間 (time), etc. The nuance is of actively obtaining and holding onto something that might otherwise not be available.
KANJI:
確 means "certain" or "firm" and 保 means "to maintain" or "to protect." Together they convey the idea of firmly securing something.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 安全を確保する: to ensure safety
- 予算を確保する: to secure a budget
- 人材を確保する: to secure talent/personnel
- 場所を確保する: to secure a place
- 身柄を確保する: to take someone into custody (police term)