Readings: ホ (Onyomi), たも.つ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: protect, guarantee, keep, preserve, maintain
The kanji 保 (ほ) is formed from 人 (ひと – person) and 呆 (ほう – a phonetic component that also implies “to stay, to protect,” originally depicting a person holding a child). Together, it signifies the act of a person holding onto and protecting something or someone, thus conveying meanings like to protect, preserve, or maintain.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 保 has 9 strokes. It begins with the ‘ninben’ radical (人) on the left, followed by the right-hand component. Start with the vertical stroke, then the horizontal stroke with a hook, followed by the two short strokes on top of the ‘口’ (mouth) shape, then the mouth shape itself, and finally the last two strokes that close the bottom.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 亻 (にんべん – person radical) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ホ (Ho)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- たもつ (tamo.tsu)
Common Words Using 保
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 保護 | ほご | protection; safeguard |
| 保証 | ほしょう | guarantee; security; warranty |
| 保存 | ほぞん | preservation; conservation; storage |
| 保険 | ほけん | insurance |
| 保持 | ほじ | retention; maintenance; preservation |
| 保安 | ほあん | security; safety |
| 保守 | ほしゅ | conservatism; maintenance (of equipment) |
| 保温 | ほおん | heat retention; keeping warm |
| 保養 | ほよう | recuperation; health preservation |
| 保健室 | ほけんしつ | infirmary; nurse’s office |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 保つ | たもつ | to keep; to maintain; to preserve; to hold |
| 平静を保つ | へいせいをたもつ | to keep one’s composure/peace |
| 距離を保つ | きょりをたもつ | to keep one’s distance |
| 健康を保つ | けんこうをたもつ | to maintain health |
| 秩序を保つ | ちつじょをたもつ | to maintain order/discipline |
| 品質を保つ | ひんしつをたもつ | to maintain quality |
| 秘密を保つ | ひみつをたもつ | to keep a secret |
| 均衡を保つ | きんこうをたもつ | to maintain balance/equilibrium |
| 形状を保つ | けいじょうをたもつ | to maintain shape |
| 水分を保つ | すいぶんをたもつ | to retain moisture |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 絶滅危惧種を保護する活動はとても重要です。
Kana: ぜつめつきぐしゅをほごするかつどうはとてもじゅうようです。
Romaji: Zetsumetsu kigushu o hogo suru katsudō wa totemo jūyō desu.
English: Activities to protect endangered species are very important.
Japanese: この製品には5年間の品質保証がついています。
Kana: このせいひんには5ねんかんのひんしつほしょうがついています。
Romaji: Kono seihin ni wa go-nenkan no hinshitsu hoshō ga tsuite imasu.
English: This product comes with a 5-year quality guarantee.
Japanese: 冷蔵庫で食品を新鮮に保存してください。
Kana: れいぞうこでしょくひんをしんせんにほぞんしてください。
Romaji: Reizōko de shokuhin o shinsen ni hozon shite kudasai.
English: Please preserve food fresh in the refrigerator.
Japanese: 海外旅行に行く前に旅行保険に加入しました。
Kana: かいがいりょこうにいくまえにりょこうほけんにかにゅうしました。
Romaji: Kaigai ryokō ni iku mae ni ryokō hoken ni kanyū shimashita.
English: I joined travel insurance before going on my overseas trip.
Japanese: 彼はどんな状況でも冷静さを保つことができる。
Kana: かれはどんなじょうきょうでもれいせいさをたもつことができる。
Romaji: Kare wa donna jōkyō demo reiseisa o tamotsu koto ga dekiru.
English: He can maintain his composure in any situation.
Japanese: 会社は顧客情報を厳重に保持しています。
Kana: かいしゃはこきゃくじょうほうをげんじゅうにほじしています。
Romaji: Kaisha wa kokyaku jōhō o genjū ni hoji shite imasu.
English: The company strictly retains customer information.
Japanese: 空港では常に高いレベルの保安が維持されています。
Kana: くうこうではつねにたかいレベルのほあんがいじされています。
Romaji: Kūkō de wa tsune ni takai reberu no hoan ga iji sarete imasu.
English: A high level of security is always maintained at the airport.
Japanese: 彼は古い伝統を保守する考え方を持っています。
Kana: かれはふるいでんとうをほしゅするかんがえかたをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa furui dentō o hoshu suru kangaekata o motte imasu.
English: He has a conservative way of thinking that maintains old traditions.
Japanese: この水筒は飲み物を長時間保温できます。
Kana: このすいとうはのみものをちょうじかんほおんできます。
Romaji: Kono suitō wa nomimono o chōjikan ho’on dekimasu.
English: This water bottle can keep drinks warm for a long time.
Japanese: 健康を保つために、毎日運動することが大切です。
Kana: けんこうをたもつために、まいにちうんどうすることがたいせつです。
Romaji: Kenkō o tamotsu tame ni, mainichi undō suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
English: To maintain health, it’s important to exercise every day.
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