How to say "maintenance" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 維持いじnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers maintenance in the sense of preserving something in its current state or condition, such as order, peace, or health. The focus is on keeping things as they are, not on repair or servicing.
- 整備せいびnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to maintenance as servicing or upkeep of equipment, vehicles, and facilities—checking, adjusting, and repairing so they function properly. This is the usual word for physical or technical upkeep.
- 継続けいぞくnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbReally means continuation or persistence, the fact of something continuing over time. It matches 'maintenance' only in a marginal sense, so it is seldom the word you want for upkeep; think 'continuation' first.
- nounA loanword used for maintenance in general, especially of machines, equipment, and systems. It covers both routine servicing and upkeep, and is a natural everyday choice when you want to say 'maintenance' directly.
- 保守ほしゅnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers maintenance, particularly the technical upkeep of machinery and systems. In computing and engineering contexts it is a common choice for keeping equipment or software in working order.
For upkeep of machines or systems choose 整備, 保守, or 「メンテナンス」; for keeping a state or condition use 維持; 継続 means continuation and only marginally matches 'maintenance'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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