維持|いじiji[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbmaintenance; preservation; improvement
    この車くるまの維持いじは高たかくつく。↗
    It is expensive running this car.
Conjugation
Dictionary form維持する(いじする)
Polite (masu)維持します(いじします)
Negative (nai)維持しない(いじしない)
polite (masen)維持しません(いじしません)
classical zu / nu維持せず・維持せぬ(いじせず・いじせぬ)
Past (ta)維持した(いじした)
polite (mashita)維持しました(いじしました)
Past negative (nakatta)維持しなかった(いじしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)維持しませんでした(いじしませんでした)
Te form維持して(いじして)
Potential維持できる(いじできる)
Passive維持される(いじされる)
Causative維持させる(いじさせる)
Causative passive維持させられる(いじさせられる)
Conditional (ba)維持すれば(いじすれば)
tara維持したら(いじしたら)
Volitional維持しよう(いじしよう)
polite (mashou)維持しましょう(いじしましょう)
Imperative維持しろ(いじしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym保持ほじWrittenWritten/formal. Focuses on holding on to something without losing it: 「記録を保持する」「タイトルを保持」. 「維持」 stresses keeping a level or state from dropping.
  • Synonym持続じぞくWrittenWritten/formal. A state or effect continuing over time, as in 「効果が持続する」; can be intransitive. 「維持」 keeps a level or state at a set degree.
  • Synonym保守ほしゅWrittenWritten/formal. Overlaps only in the sense of keeping things in working order; mostly equipment servicing, as in 「保守点検」. Also means political conservatism.
  • Synonym保全ほぜんWrittenWritten/formal. Stresses protecting something from damage, as in 「環境保全」「証拠保全」; 「維持」 is about keeping the original level.
  • SynonymキープCasualColloquial loanword, common in speech: 「席をキープする」「体型をキープ」. Also covers reserving a seat or keeping possession of the ball; 「維持」 is more formal.
  • SynonymメンテナンスNeutralLoanword for servicing equipment or systems, as in 「メンテナンス中」; 「維持」 refers to keeping a state or level unchanged.
  • Synonym保つたもつNeutralNative verb for keeping a state unchanged, as in 「健康を保つ」; often interchangeable with 「維持する」, but 「保つ」 is the more colloquial choice.
  • Related続けるつづけるNeutralNative verb for carrying an action or state on, as in 「練習を続ける」; 「維持」 is about holding a certain level and leans written/formal.
  • Related継続けいぞくWrittenWritten/formal. About carrying on something already under way, as in 「契約を継続する」; 「維持」 is about keeping a level from falling.
  • Related続行ぞっこうWrittenWritten/formal. Going on without stopping, as in 「試合続行」, or resuming after an interruption; objects are usually events or matches.
  • Related護持ごじWrittenWritten/formal with a solemn tone: reverently guarding something cherished, as in 「国体護持」. For everyday upkeep of a state, use 「維持」.
  • Related続くつづくNeutralNeutral intransitive: a thing or state continues by itself, as in 「雨が続く」, or people come one after another; 「維持」 keeps a level or state at a set degree.
  • Relatedし続けるしつづけるNeutral「する」 plus 「続ける」: to keep doing something without a break, as in 「努力し続ける」; 「維持」 is about holding a certain level.
  • Related存続そんぞくWrittenWritten/formal. About an organization or system continuing to exist rather than dying out, as in 「会社の存続」; 「維持」 is about keeping a level or state.
  • Related持するじするWrittenWritten and old-fashioned, mostly in fixed phrases like 「身を持する」「満を持する」; today one usually says 「保つ」 or 「維持する」.
  • Antonym破棄はきWrittenWritten/formal antonym in the realm of agreements and contracts: tearing up or voiding them, as in 「契約を破棄する」.
  • Antonym放棄ほうきWrittenWritten/formal antonym: giving something up and no longer pressing it, as in 「権利を放棄する」 or 「試合を放棄する」.

Default to 「維持」 for keeping a level or standard. In speech use 「保つ」 or 「キープ」; for holding records or titles use 「保持」; for continuation over time 「持続」 or 「継続」; for equipment servicing 「メンテナンス」. 「保守」 and 「保全」 cover upkeep and protection, 「存続」 an organization's survival, 「続行」 pressing on with an event, 「護持」 solemn guardianship; 「持する」 appears in literary set phrases, and 「続ける」「続く」「し続ける」 mean simply to continue. Antonyms: 「破棄」 voids a contract, 「放棄」 gives up a right.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 一定いっていの水準すいじゅんを保たもち続つづけること。
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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