保持 (bǎochí)

保持 describes the act of keeping something in its current state, preventing it from changing or deteriorating over time.

Meanings

[verb] To maintain, to keep, to preserve, to sustain (a state or condition).

Example Sentences

无论多忙，她都坚持保持每天锻炼的习惯。 Wúlùn duō máng, tā dōu jiānchí bǎochí měitiān duànliàn de xíguàn. No matter how busy she is, she insists on maintaining the habit of exercising every day.

两国之间一直保持着友好的外交关系。 Liǎng guó zhī jiān yīzhí bǎochí zhe yǒuhǎo de wàijiāo guānxi. The two countries have always maintained friendly diplomatic relations.

在高压的工作环境中，保持冷静非常关键。 Zài gāoyā de gōngzuò huánjìng zhōng, bǎochí lěngjìng fēicháng guānjiàn. In a high-pressure work environment, maintaining composure is extremely important.

这座古建筑经过修复后，依然保持了原有的风貌。 Zhè zuò gǔ jiànzhù jīngguò xiūfù hòu, yīrán bǎochí le yuányǒu de fēngmào. After restoration, this ancient building still preserved its original appearance.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
保持联系	to keep in touch
保持冷静	to stay calm
保持健康	to maintain health
保持平衡	to maintain balance
保持一致	to remain consistent

Usage Notes

保持 is always followed by the state being maintained, not an action. You say 保持安静 (maintain silence) but not 保持说话. It pairs naturally with abstract states: 保持耐心 (maintain patience), 保持距离 (keep a distance). Compare with 维持, which is closer in meaning but often used in more formal or structural contexts (维持秩序 — maintain order).

Memory Hook

保 means "to protect" and 持 means "to hold" — you protect by holding on to the current state without letting it slip away.