Translation guide
The concept of keeping something in its original state, preventing decay, or maintaining a condition. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being preserved (food, nature, culture, buildings, etc.) and the method (canning, freezing, traditional techniques).
Keeping food from spoiling, often through canning, freezing, drying, or pickling.
General term for preserving food, often by refrigeration, canning, or other methods. Used for both home and industrial contexts.
食品の保存方法には冷凍や乾燥がある。
Methods of food preservation include freezing and drying.
このジャムは保存料を使っていない。
This jam doesn't use preservatives.
Preserved food; emergency rations or long-lasting food items.
To pickle or preserve in salt, vinegar, miso, etc. Common for vegetables.
To dry (food) for preservation, like fish or persimmons.
魚を干して保存する。
Dry fish to preserve it.
Protecting natural environments, ecosystems, or species from harm or destruction.
Protection or conservation of nature, wildlife, or cultural assets. Often used in compound words.
Maintaining traditions, buildings, artifacts, or intangible heritage.
General term for preserving cultural properties, documents, or traditions.
Keeping oneself or something in a good state, avoiding harm or deterioration.
Keeping digital files, records, or information intact over time.
Standard term for saving files or preserving digital data.
保存 (hozon) is the most general 'preservation', used for food, data, objects. 保護 (hogo) implies 'protection' and is used for nature, wildlife, and vulnerable things. 保全 (hozen) is 'conservation' in a systematic, often ecological sense.
災害に備えて保存食を用意する。
Prepare preserved food in case of disaster.
Pickle cucumbers in salt.
Nature preservation is an important issue.
この地域は環境保護区域に指定されている。
This area is designated as an environmental preservation zone.
Can be used for preserving natural resources or landscapes, but 保護 is more common for living things.
森林の保存に努める。
Strive for forest preservation.
Conservation, maintenance of ecosystems or biodiversity. Often used in technical/legal contexts.
生物多様性の保全が急務だ。
Preservation of biodiversity is urgent.
古い町並みを保存する運動が起きた。
A movement to preserve the old townscape arose.
この寺院は重要文化財に指定され、保存されている。
This temple is designated an important cultural property and is preserved.
Used for protecting cultural heritage, especially intangible culture or endangered traditions.
伝統芸能の保護に力を入れる。
Put effort into the preservation of traditional performing arts.
Succession or passing down of traditions, skills, or culture to the next generation.
技術の継承が課題だ。
Preservation (passing down) of skills is a challenge.
Self-preservation instinct or act. Often used in psychological or biological contexts.
自己保存の本能が働く。
The instinct of self-preservation kicks in.
Maintenance of a condition, such as health, peace, or status quo.
健康の維持には運動が必要だ。
Exercise is necessary for the preservation of health.
データを定期的に保存してください。
Please save (preserve) your data regularly.
デジタルアーカイブは文化の保存に役立つ。
Digital archives help with cultural preservation.