How to say "keeping" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, adverbCovers 'keeping' as a state left unchanged: something stays as it is, like a door left open. It describes the unchanged state itself, not an act of keeping or holding.
- 温存おんぞんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers keeping something intact, typically without using it up — preserving strength, funds or resources in reserve for later rather than consuming them.
- 留め置きとめおきnounReally about retaining or detaining — holding something in place rather than everyday keeping — so it is seldom the word you want for the ordinary sense of 'keeping'.
- 預けあずけnounCovers keeping as custody: something entrusted to another's care, such as checking in bags. What is kept is held by someone else on your behalf.
- 保有ほゆうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers keeping as holding or retaining possession, especially of assets, shares or property; it stresses continued ownership rather than physical safekeeping.
Use 「まま」 for keeping things as they are, 「預け」 for custody of entrusted items, 保有 for holding possessions, 温存 for preserving something intact, and 「留め置き」 mainly for retaining or detention rather than everyday keeping.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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