保守|ほしゅhoshu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbmaintenance
  2. nounconservatism; conservativeness; conservation
    彼かれは保守ほしゅ寄よりだ。↗
    He is conservative to a degree.
Conjugation
Dictionary form保守する(ほしゅする)
Polite (masu)保守します(ほしゅします)
Negative (nai)保守しない(ほしゅしない)
polite (masen)保守しません(ほしゅしません)
classical zu / nu保守せず・保守せぬ(ほしゅせず・ほしゅせぬ)
Past (ta)保守した(ほしゅした)
polite (mashita)保守しました(ほしゅしました)
Past negative (nakatta)保守しなかった(ほしゅしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)保守しませんでした(ほしゅしませんでした)
Te form保守して(ほしゅして)
Potential保守できる(ほしゅできる)
Passive保守される(ほしゅされる)
Causative保守させる(ほしゅさせる)
Causative passive保守させられる(ほしゅさせられる)
Conditional (ba)保守すれば(ほしゅすれば)
tara保守したら(ほしゅしたら)
Volitional保守しよう(ほしゅしよう)
polite (mashou)保守しましょう(ほしゅしましょう)
Imperative保守しろ(ほしゅしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym維持いじNeutralNeutral noun for keeping things as they are, as in 「現状維持」; unlike 「保守」 it carries no conservative political nuance.
  • Related保つたもつNeutralNeutral everyday verb for keeping a state unchanged, as in 「健康を保つ」; 「保守」 leans toward equipment upkeep or a conservative stance.
  • Related護持ごじWrittenWritten/formal noun for solemnly guarding and maintaining something; mostly with the constitution or Buddhist law, as in 「憲法を護持する」.
  • Related持するじするWrittenWritten-language verb meaning to keep or hold, as in 「身を持する」; rare in modern usage.
  • Antonym革新かくしんWrittenWritten/formal noun for reform and innovation, the direct opposite of conservative 「保守」.
  • Antonym進歩しんぽNeutralNeutral noun for progress or development, standing opposite 「保守」.

Use 「保守」 for equipment maintenance, as in 「保守点検」, or for political conservatism, as in 「保守派」. For keeping a state use 「保つ」, and for maintaining the status quo use 「維持」. For the opposite ideas, 「革新」 covers reform and 「進歩」 progress.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 伝統でんとうを守まもり急激きゅうげきな改革かいかくに反対はんたいすること。
  2. 正常せいじょうな状態じょうたいを守まもること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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