Meaning and Usage
"保管" (ほかん) refers to the act of keeping or storing items safely, often implying responsibility for their safekeeping. It is commonly used in contexts involving documents, goods, or valuables.
Common Contexts
You will often see "保管" used in formal or business settings, such as storing important papers, warehouse goods, or temporary luggage storage at hotels.
Collocations and Patterns
- 保管する: to store or keep something safely.
- 保管場所: storage place or location.
- 一時的に保管する: to keep temporarily.
Register and Nuance
"保管" is a formal term and is appropriate in written and polite spoken Japanese. It is more official than casual words like "しまう" (to put away).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "保管" with "保存" (ほぞん), which also means to preserve or save. "保管" emphasizes physical custody and safekeeping, while "保存" often relates to preservation, such as food or data preservation. Use "保管" when referring to the act of keeping items securely stored.