How to say "keep" in Japanese

• 保つたもつJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe general verb for keeping or preserving something so that it continues — a state, a condition, something you retain. Choose this when 'keep' means not letting something lapse or disappear.
  体面たいめんを保たもつために行いった。↗

  For appearances sake, I went.
• キープCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, nounA loanword for keeping something as it is: keeping the lead, or maintaining a standard or situation. It suggests holding on to what you already have rather than gaining something new.
  ＯＥＣＤの調査ちょうさで北欧ほくおう諸国しょこくが税率ぜいりつにおいて世界せかいの上位じょういをキープした。↗

  In the OECD survey, northern European countries are keeping their high ranking in tax-rates.
• 飼うかうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for keeping an animal: to have, own, or raise a pet or other animal. Whenever 'keep' involves an animal in your care, this is the verb.
  ナンシーは犬いぬを飼かいたがっていますか。↗

  Does Nancy want to have a dog?
• 預かるあずかるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbTo keep something by taking care of it for someone else — looking after it or holding on to it temporarily. Think of 'keep' in the sense of safekeeping rather than possession.
  ４時じまで荷物にもつを預あずかっていただけませんか。↗

  Could you keep my bags here until four?
• 天守閣てんしゅかくCommon
  nounA noun, not a verb: the 'keep' of a castle, its main tower. Unless you are writing about castle architecture, this is not the word for the verb 'keep'.

Use 「保つ」 for keeping or preserving a state, 「キープ」 for holding a lead or standard, 「飼う」 for keeping animals, 「預かる」 for looking after something in your care, and 天守閣 only for a castle's keep.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 保つたもつto keep
• キープto keep (e.g. the lead)
• 飼うかうto keep (a pet or other animal)
• 預かるあずかるto look after
• 天守閣てんしゅかくcastle tower
• 収めるおさめるto put (into)
• 留め置くとめおくto detain
• 助け守るたすけまもるto protect
• 持ち続けるもちつづけるto continue to hold
• 守るまもるto keep (i.e. a promise)
• しまうto put away
• 持つもつto maintain
• 留めるとどめるto contain
• つなぐto maintain
• 囲うかこうto keep (e.g. a mistress)
• 食わすくわすto support (e.g. a family)
• 貫くつらぬくto stick to (opinion, principles, etc.)
• 貫き通すつらぬきとおすto stick to (opinion, principles, etc.)
• 持たせるもたせるto keep
• 存するそんするto retain
• 繋ぎ止めるつなぎとめるto secure (trust, patronage of customers, etc.)
• 食わせるくわせるto support (e.g. a family)
• つけるto keep (an eye on)
• やるto run (a business)
• 続くつづくto hold out
• 取るとるto secure