維持

いじ

maintenance, preservation

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"維持" (いじ) means to maintain, preserve, or keep something in a certain state. It is often used in contexts related to health, systems, conditions, or responsibilities.

Common Collocations

  • 健康を維持する: to maintain health
  • 状態を維持する: to maintain a state or condition
  • 安定を維持する: to maintain stability

Usage Notes

"維持" is a formal noun and verb (when combined with する). It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in professional or academic contexts. When using "維持する," the focus is on continuing or preserving a condition rather than changing it.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "維持" with "保つ" (たもつ), which also means to keep or maintain. "維持" often implies a more deliberate or systematic effort to preserve something, while "保つ" can be more general or casual.

Example Sentences

けんこうをいじするためにまいにちうんどうしています。

I exercise every day to maintain my health.

このシステムはあんていしたどうさをいじしています。

This system maintains stable operation.

かんきょうのいじはわたしたちのせきにんです。

Maintaining the environment is our responsibility.