保持

• Pinyin: bǎo chí
• Hanzi breakdown: 保 = 亻(person) + 呆 (phonetic), meaning protect; 持 = 扌(hand) + 寺 (temple, phonetic), meaning to hold

Meaning

To maintain; to keep; to preserve. To continue something in its current state without change.

Used for maintaining states, habits, relationships, and records. Common phrases include 保持安静 (keep quiet), 保持联系 (keep in touch), and 保持健康 (stay healthy).

Examples

1. 请大家保持安静，考试马上开始。 Everyone please stay quiet — the exam is about to begin.
2. 运动可以帮助我们保持健康。 Exercise can help us stay healthy.
3. 毕业以后我们还要保持联系。 We should keep in touch after graduation.

Usage Guide

Context: health, habits, social

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 请保持教室的整洁。(Please keep the classroom tidy.)
• 他一直保持着早起的习惯。(He has always maintained the habit of getting up early.)

Don't Say

• 保持吃饭 (Don't use 保持 directly with action verbs — say 保持吃饭的习惯 to mean 'maintain the habit of eating properly')

Origin & History

Compound of 保 (to keep, protect) and 持 (to hold, maintain), together meaning to hold onto a state.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal