Translation guide
The English verb "maintain" covers several distinct meanings: keeping something in good condition, preserving a state or level, asserting a belief, and providing financial support. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
To keep something (a machine, building, etc.) in good working order through regular care.
General term for maintaining or preserving a state, condition, or system. Often used for abstract things like health, peace, or standards, but also for physical upkeep.
機械を良好な状態に維持するのは大変だ。
It's hard to maintain machinery in good condition.
Specifically for maintaining and servicing equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure. Implies regular inspection and repair.
車を定期的に整備することが大切です。
It's important to maintain your car regularly.
To take care of something through cleaning, minor repairs, or grooming. Often used for gardens, skin, or personal belongings.
庭の手入れを怠ると、すぐに荒れてしまう。
If you neglect to maintain the garden, it quickly becomes overgrown.
Technical term for maintenance, especially in engineering or IT contexts. Often used for software or system maintenance.
システムの保守は専門業者に任せている。
We leave system maintenance to a specialist company.
To keep something at a certain level, rate, or standard; to prevent it from changing or declining.
Broadly used for maintaining a state, condition, or quality. Can be used for physical and abstract things.
室内の温度を一定に保つのは難しい。
It's difficult to maintain a constant room temperature.
彼は平静を保とうとした。
He tried to maintain his composure.
Similar to 保つ but slightly more formal. Often used for systems, standards, or long-term conditions.
現在の生活水準を維持するのは容易ではない。
It's not easy to maintain the current standard of living.
Loanword from English, used casually for maintaining a level, position, or record. Common in sports and everyday conversation.
このペースをキープできれば、記録更新だ。
If we can maintain this pace, it'll be a new record.
To state firmly that something is true, especially when others may disagree.
To assert, claim, or insist. The most direct equivalent for maintaining a position or opinion.
彼は自分の無実を主張し続けた。
He continued to maintain his innocence.
To insist or persist in saying something, often with a nuance of stubbornness.
彼女は自分が正しいと言い張った。
She maintained that she was right.
Pattern for quoting the maintained statement.
会社は安全基準を満たしていると主張している。
The company maintains that it meets safety standards.
To provide enough money to support someone or something.
To support financially, especially a family or dependents. Also implies providing for needs beyond money.
彼は大家族を養わなければならない。
He has to maintain a large family.
Formal/legal term for supporting dependents, often used in tax or legal contexts.
税法上、扶養家族を扶養していると控除が受けられる。
Under tax law, you can receive deductions if you maintain dependents.
Colloquial way to say provide living expenses.
彼は元妻に生活費を出している。
He maintains his ex-wife financially.
Both mean 'maintain' in the sense of preserving a state. 保つ is more common in everyday speech and can be used for concrete and abstract things. 維持する is slightly more formal and often used for systems, standards, or long-term conditions. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 保つ feels more immediate and personal.
健康を保つ / 健康を維持する
maintain health
The loanword メンテナンスする (maintenance) is common for physical upkeep of machines, but it is not used for abstract meanings like maintaining a relationship or asserting an opinion. Use it only for tangible maintenance tasks.
車をメンテナンスする
maintain a car
競争力を維持する必要がある。
We need to maintain our competitive edge.
彼女は困難にもかかわらず、前向きな態度を保っている。
She maintains a positive attitude despite the difficulties.