Chinese word

保

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǎo

Meaning

  • verbkeep

Example

我可以帮你把包裹保管好。wǒ ké yǐ bāng nǐ bǎ bāo guǒ báo guǎn hǎo

I can help you keep the package safe.

Illustration for 保 (keep)

More examples

图书馆会把贵重物品保管在柜子里。tú shū guǎn huì bǎ guì zhòng wù pǐn báo guǎn zài guì zi lǐ

The library will keep valuable items in a cabinet.

Core concept

Take an item into one's care so it stays safe, intact, and ready to be returned or handed on.

Common phrases

  • 保存bǎo cún

    store

  • 保留bǎo liú

    retain

  • 保管báo guǎn

    keep safe

Similar words

保护bǎo hù: Protect a person or thing against danger or damage.
保持bǎo chí: Maintain a particular condition or degree without letting it change.
保存bǎo cún: Save an object or information in its original condition for later use.
保管báo guǎn: Receive an item, put it somewhere secure, and care for it there.

Definition in Chinese

代替他人看管或守护物品，使其保持原状并负责交付，侧重暂时托管与保护的含义。dài tì tā rén kān guǎn huò shǒu hù wù pǐn shǐ qí bǎo chí yuán zhuàng bìng fù zé jiāo fù cè zhòng zàn shí tuō guǎn yǔ bǎo hù de hán yì

Word origin

保 (bǎo, "protect") originally depicted an adult caring for a child, and this sense of safeguarding extended to taking charge of possessions.

Usage tips

  • English keep often suggests continued possession, while this verb can mark responsibility for someone else's item and its later return or delivery.

Other meanings

  • put awayverb
  • saveverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word