保
保·keep, preserve, guarantee
- On-yomi
- ホ
- Kun-yomi
- たも(つ)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 保証 | ほしょう | guarantee, warranty |
| 保険 | ほけん | insurance |
| 保存 | ほぞん | preservation, saving (a file) |
| 保つ | たもつ | to keep, to maintain |
Example sentences
この製品には一年の保証が付いています。
このせいひんにはいちねんのほしょうがついています。
This product comes with a one-year warranty.
残った料理は冷蔵庫で保存してください。
のこったりょうりはれいぞうこでほぞんしてください。
Please keep the leftover food in the fridge.
この年齢で体力を保つのは簡単ではない。
このねんれいでたいりょくをたもつのはかんたんではない。
Keeping up one's stamina at this age is not easy.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 保呆呆 (ボウ, be dumbfounded) is 保 with the person radical 亻 stripped off the left.
- 保係係 also starts with 亻 but has 系 on the right; 保 has 口 over a 木-like base.
Common mistakes
- Mixing 保証 (guarantee of quality), 保障 (safeguarding rights, as in 安全保障) and 補償 (compensation) — all read ほしょう
- Reading 保つ as ほつ — the kun reading is たもつ
Memory aid
Picture it
A person 亻 holding a child close: you keep and protect what you hold, which is also what a guarantee promises.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 保険ほけんinsurance
- 保守ほしゅmaintenance (of equipment); conservatism
- 保護ほごprotection, conservation
- 担保たんぽcollateral, security; guaranteeing (something)
- 保管ほかんsafekeeping; custody; storage; keeping in charge
- 確保かくほsecuring; ensuring a supply of; getting hold of and keeping
- 保母ほぼnursery school teacher; day-care worker (dated term)
- 保養ほようhealth preservation; recuperation; rest and recreation
- 保つたもつto keep; to maintain; to preserve; to retain; to last
- 保育ほいくchildcare; nursing; rearing (of infants)
- 保温ほおんretaining warmth; keeping heat in; heat insulation
- 保障ほしょうguarantee (of rights or safety); security; protection; assurance
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 保 mean?