保持|ほじhoji[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbretention; maintenance; preservation
   あそこの会社かいしゃから技術ぎじゅつ情報じょうほうをもらうには、まず機密保持契約きみつほじけいやくを結むすばなければいけない。↗

   To get technical information from that company, we first have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

• Synonym維持いじNeutralFor maintaining the status quo or keeping something running, as in 「現状維持」 or 「健康維持」; 「保持」 centers on holding a record or state unchanged.
• Synonym保つたもつNeutralThe everyday verb for keeping or maintaining something, as in 「平静を保つ」; 「保持」 also works as 「保持する」 but sounds more formal.
• Synonym保有ほゆうWrittenWritten/formal word for owning and continuing to hold assets, rights, or qualifications, as in 「株式保有」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state unchanged.
• Synonym持続じぞくNeutralFor lasting or continuing over time, as in 「持続可能」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state unchanged.
• SynonymキープNeutralA loanword for keeping or reserving, as in 「席をキープ」, relaxed and colloquial; 「保持」 is more written, for posture, moisture, records, information.
• Related続けるつづけるNeutralThe most general, conversational verb for continuing or keeping on with an action; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state unchanged.
• Related継続けいぞくNeutralFor carrying something on, continuing it, as in 「継続審議」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state unchanged.
• Related長持ちながもちNeutralFor things lasting long or wearing well, as in 「電池が長持ち」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state.
• Related保全ほぜんWrittenWritten/formal: protecting something so it stays intact and safe, as in 「証拠保全」「環境保全」; 「保持」 keeps posture, states, or rights from being lost.
• Related保存ほぞんNeutralFor preserving food, data, or cultural artifacts, as in 「データを保存」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state.
• Related存続そんぞくNeutralFor organizations or systems continuing to exist, as in 「存続の危機」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state.
• Related保管ほかんNeutralFor storing and looking after items safely, one's own or another's, as in 「保管料」; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state.
• Related続くつづくNeutralThe most general, conversational verb for lasting or going on without a break; 「保持」 is about keeping a record or state unchanged.
• Related取っておくとっておくCasualColloquial verb for setting something aside for later, as in 「お菓子を取っておく」; 「保持」 is more formal.
• Related取り置くとりおくNeutralFor a shop holding an item aside for a customer, as in 「商品を取り置く」; 「保持」 is about keeping a state.
• Related持ち続けるもちつづけるNeutralVerb for holding on to something or keeping a state over a long time, as in 「希望を持ち続ける」; 「保持」 is a noun.
• Antonym放棄ほうきNeutralThe opposite of 「保持」 in the sense of keeping vs giving up: renouncing or abandoning rights, as in 「権利放棄」.
• Antonym手放すてばなすNeutralThe opposite of 「保持」 in the sense of keeping vs letting go: releasing one's grip, selling, or parting with something.
• Antonym喪失そうしつWrittenWritten/formal opposite of 「保持」 in the sense of keeping vs losing: losing something, as in 「記憶喪失」.

Use 「保持」 for holding a record, state, or quality unchanged, as in 「記録保持者」 or 「水分保持」; it leans toward written or formal use. For maintaining the status quo or keeping something running, choose 「維持」; for an everyday verb, 「保つ」; for owning and holding assets or rights, 「保有」. 「保存」 covers preserving food, data, or artifacts, 「キープ」 is a casual loanword for keeping or reserving, and 「取っておく」 is the colloquial way to set something aside. The main opposites are 「放棄」 (giving up rights) and 「喪失」 (losing something).

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

1. 続つづけて持もち続つづけること。