保全

• Reading: ほぜん
• Romaji: hozen
• Kanji breakdown: 保 (ho/tamotsu) — protect, maintain; 全 (zen/matta) — whole, complete
• Pronunciation: /ho.ze.ɴ/

Meaning

Preservation; conservation; maintenance; protection. Refers to maintaining something in good condition or safeguarding it from deterioration or harm.

Used as a verbal noun with する (保全する). Commonly appears in environmental policy (環境保全, environmental conservation), legal contexts (資産保全, asset preservation), and security (保全措置, security measures). Slightly different from 保護 (hogo, protection): 保全 emphasises maintaining the current state or preventing deterioration, while 保護 emphasises guarding against external threats.

Examples

1. 熱帯雨林の保全は、地球規模の気候変動対策において不可欠だ。 The conservation of tropical rainforests is indispensable in addressing global climate change.
2. 企業は顧客データの保全に万全の措置を講じる義務がある。 Companies have an obligation to take all necessary measures to preserve customer data.
3. 文化財の保全には膨大な費用と専門知識が必要とされる。 The preservation of cultural assets requires enormous costs and specialist expertise.

Usage Guide

Context: environment, law, security, cultural heritage

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 保 (ho, protect, maintain) and 全 (zen, complete, whole). Together they evoke the idea of keeping something whole and complete — maintaining its integrity against the forces of deterioration or loss.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated