整備

せいび

maintenance, overhaul

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word "整備" (せいび) primarily refers to maintenance, servicing, or overhaul of equipment, vehicles, or systems. It is commonly used in contexts involving mechanical or technical upkeep to ensure proper functioning and safety.

Common Contexts

You will often see "整備" used with vehicles (車の整備), machinery (機械の整備), or infrastructure (設備の整備). It implies a thorough and systematic process rather than casual or minor repairs.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 車の整備: vehicle maintenance
  • 機械を整備する: to maintain or service machines
  • システムの整備: system setup or preparation

These collocations highlight the word's focus on organized and professional upkeep.

Register and Nuance

"整備" is a neutral to formal term, suitable for both spoken and written Japanese, especially in technical, business, or official contexts. It is not casual and usually implies planned or scheduled maintenance.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "整備" with simple "修理" (しゅうり, repair). While "修理" focuses on fixing something broken, "整備" covers regular maintenance and preparation to prevent problems and keep things running smoothly.

Example Sentences

くるまのせいびをていきてきにおこなうことはあんぜんうんてんのきほんです。

Regular maintenance of the car is fundamental for safe driving.

こうじょうのきかいはまいばんせいびされている。

The factory machines are maintained every night.

あたらしいシステムのせいびがかんりょうしたら、すぐにつかいはじめられます。

Once the new system's setup is complete, it can be used immediately.