At the A1 level, '保全する' (hozen suru) is a very difficult word that you probably won't use in daily life. You can think of it as a super-formal way to say 'keep something good.' Imagine you have a beautiful garden, and you work hard every day to keep the flowers healthy and the grass green. That 'keeping it good' is what 'hozen' means. However, at this level, you should use simpler words like 'きれいにします' (kirei ni shimasu - make it clean) or '守ります' (mamorimasu - protect). You might see this word on signs in a park in Japan, telling you to 'conserve nature.' Just remember it means 'to take care of a big place or a big machine so it stays perfect.' It is too formal for talking to friends.
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more 'Suru' verbs. '保全する' (hozen suru) is a formal verb that means 'to conserve' or 'to maintain.' It is made of two parts: 'Ho' (to keep) and 'Zen' (whole/complete). You will see this word often in news about the environment or on signs at historical places. For example, '自然を保全する' (shizen o hozen suru) means 'to conserve nature.' It is different from 'mamoru' (to protect) because 'hozen' sounds like a professional job. You might hear it in a documentary or see it in a newspaper headline. It's a good word to recognize when you are reading formal announcements, but you don't need to use it in your basic daily conversations yet.
At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between different types of 'maintenance' verbs. '保全する' (hozen suru) is used for systematic or environmental conservation. While '維持する' (iji suru) means to maintain a state or status, 'hozen suru' implies a more active, technical effort to keep something from deteriorating. It is commonly used in phrases like '環境保全' (environmental conservation) and '設備保全' (equipment maintenance). At this level, you can start using it in formal writing or when discussing social issues like ecology or urban planning. If you are writing a report about why we should protect a local forest, using 'hozen suru' instead of 'mamoru' will make your Japanese sound much more professional and precise.
At the B2 level, you should understand the technical nuances of '保全する' (hozen suru). In industrial settings, this word refers specifically to 'maintenance'—the practice of keeping equipment in working order to prevent failure. You will encounter terms like '予防保全' (preventive maintenance). In legal contexts, it refers to 'preservation,' such as '証拠保全' (preservation of evidence). The focus here is on the integrity and functionality of a system. You should be comfortable using this verb in business contexts or academic discussions. It is a transitive verb that typically takes 'を,' and you should be aware of its passive form '保全される,' which is very common in official documents and scientific papers.
At the C1 level, you are expected to use '保全する' (hozen suru) with its full range of technical and abstract meanings. You should understand how it differs from '保存' (hozon), '保持' (hoji), and '護持' (goji). 'Hozen' specifically targets the functional and structural integrity of complex systems—be they ecological, mechanical, or legal. You will see it in high-level policy documents regarding '国土保全' (national land conservation) or '生物多様性の保全' (conservation of biodiversity). At this level, you should also be able to use the noun form '保全' in compound terms fluently in professional presentations. You understand that 'hozen' is not just about 'keeping' something but about the 'governance and management' required to ensure its continued existence in a healthy state.
At the C2 level, '保全する' (hozen suru) is a tool for nuanced professional and academic discourse. You recognize its application in highly specialized fields like '権利保全' (preservation of rights) in international law or 'データ保全' (data integrity maintenance) in advanced cybersecurity. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'hozen' in the context of Japanese environmental ethics, such as the 'Satoyama' model, where human intervention is necessary for conservation. You are capable of using the word in complex grammatical structures, including classical-leaning formal styles (e.g., '保全すべく'). Your usage reflects an understanding that 'hozen' involves a proactive, systemic approach to stability, distinguishing it from the more static 'hozon' or the more defensive 'hogo'.

保全する in 30 Sekunden

  • A formal verb meaning 'to conserve' or 'to maintain,' primarily used for environments, industrial equipment, and legal evidence.
  • It differs from 'hozon' (storage) by implying active, systematic maintenance to keep a complex system or entity functional.
  • Commonly seen in news reports, corporate CSR documents, and technical manuals regarding environmental protection and preventive maintenance.
  • It is a transitive Suru-verb that takes the particle 'o' and is often used in the passive form 'hozen sareru' in formal writing.

The Japanese verb 保全する (hozen suru) is a sophisticated term primarily used in formal, technical, or environmental contexts to describe the act of maintaining something in its current, healthy, or functional state. While it is often translated as "to conserve" or "to preserve," its nuance is deeply rooted in the idea of active maintenance to prevent deterioration. Unlike simple preservation, which might imply putting something in a glass case, hozen often implies a systematic approach to keeping a complex entity—like an ecosystem, a building, or a piece of machinery—in good working order.

Environmental Context
In environmental science, this word is the standard term for conservation. It refers to protecting biodiversity and natural habitats. When scientists talk about 環境保全 (kankyou hozen), they are referring to the active management of the environment to ensure it remains sustainable for future generations.
Technical & Industrial Context
In engineering and manufacturing, hozen refers to maintenance (preventive maintenance). It is the act of inspecting and repairing equipment before it breaks down. For example, 設備保全 (setsubi hozen) is a common job title for maintenance engineers in factories.
Legal & Property Context
In legal terms, it refers to the preservation of rights or evidence. 証拠保全 (shouko hozen) is the legal process of preserving evidence so it is not destroyed or altered before a trial.

絶滅危惧種を保護し、その生息地を保全することが急務だ。(It is an urgent matter to protect endangered species and conserve their habitats.)

The word is composed of two kanji: 保 (ho), meaning to preserve or guarantee, and 全 (zen), meaning whole or complete. Together, they suggest keeping something whole and safe. You will rarely hear this in casual conversation; you won't say "I'm conserving my energy" using this word. Instead, you'll hear it in news reports, corporate meetings, and academic papers. It carries a weight of responsibility and technical precision.

工場の機械を適切に保全することで、事故を未然に防ぐ。(By properly maintaining the factory machinery, we prevent accidents before they happen.)

When using this verb, the object is usually something that is subject to decay, damage, or loss if not actively managed. This includes natural landscapes, old buildings, complex machinery, and even legal statuses. It is a transitive verb, meaning it takes the particle を (o) to indicate what is being conserved.

Frequency of Use
In the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (NINJAL) corpus, hozen appears frequently in white papers and technical manuals. It ranks high in formal literacy requirements but lower in daily spoken Japanese. For learners, mastering this word signals a move into professional or academic Japanese proficiency.

歴史的な建造物を保全するための予算が確保された。(The budget for conserving historical buildings has been secured.)

Using 保全する correctly requires understanding its role as a Suru-verb. It functions as a formal action. Because it is a Sino-Japanese word (Kango), it sounds objective and professional. In sentences, it typically follows the structure [Noun] を 保全する.

Active vs. Passive Voice
In many reports, you will see the passive form 保全される (hozen sareru). For example, "The wetlands are conserved" becomes 湿地が保全される (shitchi ga hozen sareru). This shifts the focus from the actor (the government or NGO) to the object being protected.
Compound Nouns
It is extremely common to drop the suru and use hozen as a noun in compound phrases. Examples include 保全活動 (hozen katsudou - conservation activities) and 保全管理 (hozen kanri - maintenance management). This is the most natural way to use the word in a business or scientific title.

この地域の生態系を保全するためには、住民の協力が欠かせない。(To conserve the ecosystem of this region, the cooperation of residents is essential.)

When discussing maintenance, 保全する implies a cycle. It's not a one-time fix. It involves inspection, diagnosis, and action. This is why it's often used with adverbs like 適切に (tekisetsu ni - appropriately) or 定期的に (teikiteki ni - periodically). If you are describing a routine check-up of a bridge or a server room, this is the perfect verb.

データの完全性を保全する技術が、セキュリティの要となる。(Technology that conserves data integrity is the cornerstone of security.)

In academic writing, 保全する is often paired with the particle べく (beku), meaning "in order to." For example, 自然を保全すべく (shizen o hozen subeku - in order to conserve nature). This is a very formal, written-style grammar point that fits the high register of the word.

Collocation with Adjectives
Common adjectives that describe the way something is conserved include 持続的な (jizokuteki na - sustainable) and 包括的な (houkatsuteki na - comprehensive). You will often see phrases like 持続可能な形で保全する (conserve in a sustainable way).

我々は次世代のために、この美しい海を保全する義務がある。(We have a duty to conserve this beautiful sea for the next generation.)

If you live in Japan or watch Japanese media, you will encounter 保全する in specific, predictable environments. It is not a word you use over coffee, but it is a word you see on signs, in news broadcasts, and in workplace documentation.

The Evening News (NHK)
When a typhoon damages a coastline, or when a new national park is established, the news anchor will use hozen. They might say, "The government is planning to hozen suru the affected forest area." It sounds authoritative and serious.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports
Almost every major Japanese corporation (like Toyota, Sony, or Mitsubishi) has a section in their annual report about 環境保全 (Environmental Conservation). They use this word to signal to investors that they are being responsible with natural resources.
Public Infrastructure Signs
In parks or near historical landmarks, you might see signs that say 「景観保全にご協力ください」 (Please cooperate in conserving the landscape). This is a polite but firm request to visitors to keep the area clean and undisturbed.

「この森は、貴重な動植物を保全するために立ち入りが制限されています。」(Entrance to this forest is restricted in order to conserve precious flora and fauna.)

In a professional setting, especially in manufacturing or IT, 保全 is part of the daily jargon. A manager might ask, "How is the hozen schedule for the server racks?" In this case, they are asking about the maintenance schedule. It implies a high level of technical care. If you work in a Japanese factory, you will likely hear the term 予防保全 (yobou hozen - preventive maintenance), which is a key concept in Japanese quality control (Kaizen).

インフラの老朽化が進む中、橋梁を適切に保全する技術が求められている。(As infrastructure ages, technology to properly conserve bridges is in high demand.)

Another place you'll hear it is in legal dramas or news about court cases. 証拠保全 (Evidence conservation) is a standard legal term. When a lawyer wants to make sure a hospital doesn't delete medical records before a lawsuit, they apply for a shouko hozen order. Here, the word means ensuring nothing is tampered with.

Summary of Contexts
1. Environmental protection (Nature, species). 2. Industrial maintenance (Machines, factories). 3. Legal protection (Evidence, rights). 4. Cultural heritage (Buildings, landscapes).

The most common mistake learners make with 保全する is using it where a simpler or different "preservation" word is required. Because Japanese has many words for "save," "keep," or "protect," choosing hozen when you mean hozon or hogo can sound very strange.

Mistake 1: Using it for Digital Files
If you want to say "Save this document," never use hozen. Use 保存する (hozon suru). Hozen implies maintaining the integrity or system of the data storage, not the act of clicking the 'save' button.
Mistake 2: Using it for Personal Safety
If you want to say "Protect the children," don't use hozen. Use 保護する (hogo suru). Hogo is for protecting living things or vulnerable people from harm. Hozen is more about the state of an environment or system.

❌ 食べ物を保全するために冷蔵庫に入れる。
✅ 食べ物を保存するために冷蔵庫に入れる。
(I put food in the fridge to preserve it.)

Another mistake is the register. 保全する is very formal. Using it in a casual conversation with a friend about keeping your room clean will sound incredibly stiff and potentially sarcastic. For daily life maintenance, like cleaning your room or keeping a car in good shape, words like 維持する (iji suru - maintain) or simply きれいにする (kirei ni suru - make clean) are much more natural.

❌ このペンを保全してください。
✅ このペンを大切にしてください。
(Please take care of this pen.)

Confusing 保全 (Hozen) with 保持 (Hoji) is also common. Hoji means to hold or maintain a status or record (like a world record). Hozen is about the physical or systemic integrity. If you say you want to hozen a world record, people will be confused; you should hoji it.

Summary of Distinctions
- Use 保存 (Hozon) for storage/files.
- Use 保護 (Hogo) for individual safety/protection.
- Use 維持 (Iji) for general maintenance of status.
- Use 保全 (Hozen) for systemic/environmental conservation and technical maintenance.

To truly master 保全する, you must see how it fits into the family of "preservation" words in Japanese. Each has a specific territory.

1. 維持する (Iji suru) - To Maintain
Iji is the most general word for maintenance. It means keeping a state as it is. You can maintain your health (kenkou o iji suru) or maintain the status quo. Unlike hozen, iji doesn't necessarily imply the complex technical or environmental care that hozen does.
2. 保護する (Hogo suru) - To Protect
Hogo implies shielding something from external threats. You protect your eyes from the sun or protect a child from danger. In environmental contexts, hogo is used for specific animals (endangered species protection), while hozen is used for the entire habitat or ecosystem.
3. 保存する (Hozon suru) - To Preserve/Save
Hozon is about storage. Whether it's saving a file on a computer, preserving fruit in a jar, or keeping ancient artifacts in a museum, hozon is the word. It focuses on preventing change or decay over time by isolating the object.

「森を保護する」= 保護 (Protect individual trees/animals from loggers)
「森を保全する」= 保全 (Maintain the health of the entire forest system)

There are also more specialized words. 護持する (Goji suru) is a very formal, often religious or traditional word meaning to "uphold and protect," used for things like "upholding the constitution" or "protecting a temple's teachings." 死守する (Shishu suru) means to "defend to the death," used in sports or military contexts to mean "defend at all costs."

歴史的景観の保全は、観光資源の維持に直結する。(Conserving historical landscapes directly leads to the maintenance of tourism resources.)

When writing, choosing hozen over iji shows that you recognize the complexity of what is being maintained. It suggests that maintenance isn't just "keeping it going" but involves a sophisticated understanding of how the parts work together to keep the whole thing functional. This is why it is the preferred term in policy-making and high-level engineering.

Advanced Synonyms
- 管理 (Kanri): Management/Control. Often used alongside hozen.
- 整備 (Seibi): Maintenance/Preparation. Usually for cars, roads, or specific equipment.
- 修復 (Shuufuku): Restoration. Used when something is already broken and needs to be returned to its original state.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

While the kanji are ancient, the specific technical use of 'hozen' for industrial maintenance (preventive maintenance) became standardized in Japan during its post-WWII industrial boom, influenced by American quality control theories.

Aussprachehilfe

UK ho.zeɴ.su.ɾu
US hoʊ.zɛn.su.ɾu
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'hozen', the pitch typically starts low on 'ho' and rises on 'zen'. For 'suru', the pitch drops.
Reimt sich auf
安全 (Anzen - Safety) 完全 (Kanzen - Perfection) 健全 (Kenzen - Healthy) 当然 (Touzen - Naturally) 漠然 (Bakuzen - Vaguely) 依然 (Izen - Still) 突然 (Totsuzen - Suddenly) 呆然 (Bouzen - Dumbfounded)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'zen' like 'zayn' (it should be 'zeh-n').
  • Over-stressing the 'u' in 'suru' (it's often nearly silent in fast speech).
  • Pronouncing the 'r' in 'ru' like an English 'r' (it should be a light tap).
  • Confusing the pitch with 'hosen' (meaning 'line choice').
  • Making the 'n' sound like 'm' before the 's' in 'suru'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

The kanji are common but the word is technical and formal, appearing in high-level texts.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific Sino-Japanese compounds and formal sentence structures.

Sprechen 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires knowing when it's appropriate to use such a formal term.

Hören 3/5

Common in news and documentaries; easy to identify once learned.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

保存 (Hozon) 保護 (Hogo) 維持 (Iji) 環境 (Kankyou) 自然 (Shizen)

Als Nächstes lernen

持続可能 (Jizokukanou - Sustainable) 多様性 (Tayousei - Diversity) 整合性 (Seigousei - Consistency) 老朽化 (Roukyuuka - Aging/Deterioration) 措置 (Sochi - Measures)

Fortgeschritten

止揚 (Shiyou - Sublation) 担保する (Tanpo suru - To guarantee) 帰属する (Kizoku suru - To belong to) 暫定的な (Zanteiteki na - Provisional)

Wichtige Grammatik

Suru-verbs (N+する)

保全 + する = 保全する (to conserve)

Passive Voice (〜される)

環境が保全される (The environment is conserved)

Purpose (〜ために)

自然を保全するために、ゴミを拾う (In order to conserve nature, I pick up trash)

Noun Modification (Dictionary form + Noun)

保全する努力 (Effort to conserve)

Causative Passive (〜させられる)

保全させられる (To be made to conserve something)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

しぜんをほぜんしましょう。

Let's conserve nature.

Simple 'Mashou' form for suggestion.

2

このもりをほぜんします。

I will conserve this forest.

Verb ending in 'shimasu' for polite future/habitual action.

3

うみをほぜんするのは、たいせつです。

Conserving the sea is important.

Using 'no wa' to turn the verb into a noun phrase.

4

みんなでほぜんしましょう。

Let's all conserve it together.

Focus on collective action.

5

こうえんをほぜんしてください。

Please conserve the park.

Polite request form 'te kudasai'.

6

きれいなみずをほぜんする。

To conserve clean water.

Dictionary form used as a simple statement.

7

はなをほぜんしたいです。

I want to conserve the flowers.

Desire form 'tai desu'.

8

ほぜんすることは、いいことです。

Conserving things is a good thing.

Simple topic-comment structure.

1

古い建物を保全するために、お金が必要です。

Money is needed to conserve old buildings.

Using 'tame ni' to express purpose.

2

この地域の環境を保全しましょう。

Let's conserve the environment of this region.

Formal suggestion 'mashou'.

3

彼は工場の機械を保全する仕事をしています。

He does the job of maintaining the factory machines.

Attributive use: 'hozen suru' + 'shigoto'.

4

美しい景色を保全しなければなりません。

We must conserve the beautiful scenery.

Obligation form 'nakereba narimasen'.

5

政府は新しい公園を保全すると言いました。

The government said they will conserve the new park.

Indirect speech 'to iimashita'.

6

川の水を保全するのは難しいです。

Conserving the river water is difficult.

Gerund phrase as a subject.

7

保全する活動に参加しました。

I participated in conservation activities.

Modifying the noun 'katsudou'.

8

どうやって自然を保全しますか?

How do you conserve nature?

Interrogative 'dou yatte'.

1

希少な動植物を保全することは、我々の責任だ。

It is our responsibility to conserve rare animals and plants.

Formal 'da' ending for a strong statement.

2

設備を適切に保全することで、故障を防げます。

By properly maintaining equipment, you can prevent breakdowns.

Using 'de' to show means/method.

3

この法律は、海岸線を保全するために制定された。

This law was enacted to conserve the coastline.

Passive voice 'seitei sareta'.

4

地域の生態系を保全するプロジェクトが始まった。

A project to conserve the local ecosystem has started.

Noun-modifying clause.

5

歴史的な街並みを保全する努力が続けられている。

Efforts to conserve the historical streetscape are being continued.

Continuous passive 'tsuzukerarete iru'.

6

データを保全するためのバックアップが必要です。

Backups are necessary to conserve (maintain the integrity of) data.

Purpose 'tame no'.

7

環境を保全しながら、経済を成長させる。

Grow the economy while conserving the environment.

Simultaneous action 'nagara'.

8

ボランティア団体が、湿地を保全している。

A volunteer group is conserving the wetlands.

Present progressive 'shite iru'.

1

予防保全を徹底することで、生産ラインの停止を回避する。

By thoroughly implementing preventive maintenance, we avoid production line shutdowns.

Noun compound 'yobou hozen'.

2

裁判所は、証拠を保全する命令を出した。

The court issued an order to preserve the evidence.

Legal terminology.

3

生物多様性を保全する重要性が、国際会議で議論された。

The importance of conserving biodiversity was discussed at the international conference.

Passive voice 'giron sareta'.

4

インフラを保全するための予算が、前年比で大幅に増額された。

The budget for conserving infrastructure was significantly increased compared to the previous year.

Comparison 'zennen-hi'.

5

この森は、水源を保全する役割を果たしている。

This forest plays a role in conserving the water source.

Idiom 'yakuwari o hatasu'.

6

文化遺産を後世に保全していくことが求められている。

It is required to continue conserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Aspectual 'te iku' (continuation into the future).

7

システムの整合性を保全するため、厳格なチェックを行う。

In order to conserve the consistency of the system, we perform strict checks.

Technical context.

8

適切な保全が行われなければ、建物は急速に老朽化する。

If proper maintenance is not carried out, the building will rapidly deteriorate.

Conditional 'nakereba'.

1

持続可能な社会の実現には、自然資本を保全する視点が不可欠だ。

A perspective of conserving natural capital is essential for realizing a sustainable society.

Formal academic tone.

2

権利の保全を図るため、速やかに仮処分を申請した。

In order to preserve the rights, we promptly applied for a provisional disposition.

Legal jargon 'hakaru' and 'karishobun'.

3

老朽化した橋梁の保全には、最新のモニタリング技術が導入されている。

Latest monitoring technology is being introduced for the conservation of aging bridges.

Technical passive 'dounyuu sarete iru'.

4

景観保全条例に基づき、建物の高さが制限されている。

Building heights are restricted based on the landscape conservation ordinance.

Grammar 'ni motozuki' (based on).

5

エネルギーの安定供給を保全することは、国家の安全保障に関わる。

Conserving a stable energy supply is a matter of national security.

Subject phrase ending in 'koto wa'.

6

希少種の生息域を包括的に保全する枠組みを構築する。

Construct a framework to comprehensively conserve the habitats of rare species.

High-level vocabulary 'houkatsuteki' and 'kouchiku'.

7

データの完全性を保全するための暗号化技術を検討する。

Consider encryption technology to conserve data integrity.

Abstract technical noun 'kanzensei'.

8

伝統技術を保全・継承するための支援策が急務となっている。

Support measures to conserve and pass down traditional techniques are becoming an urgent matter.

Compound verb pair 'hozen/keishou'.

1

生態系のレジリエンスを保全すべく、多角的なアプローチが試みられている。

In order to conserve the resilience of the ecosystem, multifaceted approaches are being attempted.

Formal literary 'subeku'.

2

法的安定性を保全することは、民主主義社会の根幹をなす。

Conserving legal stability forms the core of a democratic society.

Abstract philosophical subject.

3

地球規模での環境保全と経済発展の止揚が、現代の最重要課題である。

The sublation of global environmental conservation and economic development is the most important issue of our time.

Philosophical term 'shiyou' (Aufheben).

4

文化的多様性を保全する国際的な潮流は、ますます強まっている。

The international trend toward conserving cultural diversity is growing stronger and stronger.

Metaphorical 'chouryuu' (trend/current).

5

証拠保全の手続きにおいて、情報の秘匿性と正確性の担保が求められる。

In the process of evidence preservation, the guaranteeing of information confidentiality and accuracy is required.

Legal precision.

6

インフラ保全のパラダイムシフトが、AIの導入により加速している。

A paradigm shift in infrastructure conservation is accelerating due to the introduction of AI.

Loanword 'paradigm shift'.

7

海洋資源の保全と持続可能な利用に関する国際条約が批准された。

An international treaty regarding the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources was ratified.

Diplomatic language 'hijun'.

8

歴史的建造物の構造的保全と意匠の維持をいかに両立させるかが問われている。

The question is how to balance the structural conservation of historical buildings with the maintenance of their design.

Interrogative clause as subject 'ikani ... ka'.

Häufige Kollokationen

環境保全
設備保全
証拠保全
自然保全
予防保全
景観保全
保全活動
生態系保全
保全管理
権利保全

Häufige Phrasen

保全に努める

— To strive for conservation. Often used in official promises or mission statements.

我々は環境の保全に努めます。

保全を図る

— To aim for or plan for conservation. A formal way to describe a strategy.

安全の保全を図るための施策。

現状を保全する

— To conserve the current state. Used when any change is considered negative.

遺跡の現状を保全する。

保全の義務

— The duty of conservation. Refers to legal or moral responsibilities.

管理者には保全の義務がある。

保全の対象

— The object of conservation. Used to specify what is being protected.

このエリアは保全の対象です。

保全を強化する

— To strengthen conservation efforts.

パトロールを増やし、保全を強化する。

保全が必要だ

— Conservation is necessary.

この古い橋は保全が必要だ。

保全に成功する

— To succeed in conserving something.

トキの生息地の保全に成功した。

保全を目的とする

— To have conservation as its purpose.

この法律は、環境保全を目的とする。

保全が困難だ

— Conservation is difficult.

資金不足で保全が困難だ。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

保全する vs 保存 (Hozon)

Hozon is for storage (files, food). Hozen is for maintenance (systems, nature).

保全する vs 保護 (Hogo)

Hogo is for protecting individuals from harm. Hozen is for systemic conservation.

保全する vs 保持 (Hoji)

Hoji is for maintaining a status or record. Hozen is for integrity and function.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"保全の要"

— The cornerstone of conservation. The most important part of a maintenance plan.

定期点検こそが保全の要だ。

Formal
"保全の手を緩めない"

— To not loosen the hand of conservation (to not relax efforts).

絶滅を防ぐため、保全の手を緩めない。

Literary/Journalistic
"保全に万全を期す"

— To leave nothing to chance in conservation; to be perfectly prepared.

重要文化財の保全に万全を期す。

Official
"保全の一翼を担う"

— To play a part in conservation (literally: to bear one wing).

この技術は環境保全の一翼を担っている。

Formal/Metaphorical
"保全の道を模索する"

— To search for a way to conserve something.

開発と保全の道を模索する。

Formal
"保全に待ったなし"

— Conservation cannot wait (no time to waste).

温暖化対策は、環境保全に待ったなしの状態だ。

Journalistic
"保全の旗振り役"

— The leader or 'flag-waver' of a conservation movement.

彼は地域保全の旗振り役を務めている。

Journalistic/Informal
"保全を最優先に掲げる"

— To put conservation as the top priority.

新政権は環境保全を最優先に掲げた。

Formal
"保全の網を広げる"

— To expand the 'net' of conservation (to increase the scope of protection).

周辺海域まで保全の網を広げる。

Metaphorical
"保全の礎を築く"

— To lay the foundation for conservation.

今回の調査が将来の保全の礎を築くだろう。

Literary

Leicht verwechselbar

保全する vs 保存 (Hozon)

Both translate as 'preserve' in English.

Hozon is about 'saving' something to use later or keeping it from changing (like a mummy or a file). Hozen is about 'maintaining' a living or active system (like a forest or a factory).

ファイルを保存する (Save a file) vs 環境を保全する (Conserve the environment).

保全する vs 保護 (Hogo)

Both involve keeping something safe.

Hogo is defensive; it shields something from a specific danger (like a helmet protecting a head). Hozen is proactive; it involves care and management to keep the whole thing healthy.

子供を保護する (Protect a child) vs 生態系を保全する (Conserve an ecosystem).

保全する vs 維持 (Iji)

Both mean 'maintenance'.

Iji is very general and can refer to abstract things like 'maintaining a smile'. Hozen is more technical and usually refers to physical or organizational systems that require systematic work.

現状を維持する (Maintain the status quo) vs 設備を保全する (Maintain equipment).

保全する vs 整備 (Seibi)

Both are used for machines/infrastructure.

Seibi often implies 'getting something ready' or 'tuning up' (like a car service). Hozen is the broader concept of 'keeping the whole system functional over the long term'.

車を整備する (Tune up a car) vs 道路網を保全する (Conserve the road network).

保全する vs 確保 (Kakuho)

Both sound formal and involve 'keeping' something.

Kakuho means 'to secure' or 'to ensure' you have enough of something (like securing a seat or budget). Hozen is about the state of the thing once you have it.

予算を確保する (Secure a budget) vs 権利を保全する (Conserve/Preserve a right).

Satzmuster

B1

[Noun]を保全することが重要だ。

生態系を保全することが重要だ。

B1

[Noun]を保全するために、[Action]。

環境を保全するために、リサイクルをする。

B2

[Noun]は、[Noun]によって保全されている。

この遺跡は、法律によって保全されている。

B2

[Noun]の保全に努めるべきだ。

景観の保全に努めるべきだ。

C1

[Noun]の保全を図るべく、[Action]。

権利の保全を図るべく、訴訟を起こした。

C1

[Noun]の保全が、[Noun]の鍵となる。

データの保全が、信頼の鍵となる。

C2

[Noun]の保全と[Noun]の両立が問われている。

自然の保全と経済発展の両立が問われている。

C2

[Noun]を保全すべく、包括的な措置を講じる。

資源を保全すべく、包括的な措置を講じる。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

保全 (Hozen - Conservation/Maintenance)
保全性 (Hozensei - Maintainability)
保全係 (Hozen-gakari - Maintenance person/department)
保全費 (Hozen-hi - Maintenance costs)

Verben

保全する (Hozen suru - To conserve/maintain)

Adjektive

保全的な (Hozenteki na - Conservative/Maintenance-oriented)

Verwandt

保存 (Hozon - Preservation)
保護 (Hogo - Protection)
維持 (Iji - Maintenance)
管理 (Kanri - Management)
守護 (Shugo - Safeguard)

So verwendest du es

frequency

High in formal/written contexts; Low in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using '保全する' for saving a computer file. 保存する (Hozon suru)

    'Hozen' is for systems/environments. 'Hozon' is for data/storage.

  • Using '保全する' to mean 'protecting a person from a bully'. 保護する (Hogo suru) or 守る (Mamoru)

    'Hozen' is not used for personal safety or protecting individuals from immediate harm.

  • Using '保全する' for simple cleaning of a room. 掃除する (Souji suru) or きれいにする (Kirei ni suru)

    'Hozen' is too heavy and technical for daily chores.

  • Saying 'お金を保全する' to mean saving money. 貯金する (Chokin suru)

    'Hozen' does not refer to the accumulation of money, though it can refer to preserving 'rights' to money in a legal sense.

  • Confusing '保全' (Hozen) with '保持' (Hoji). 保持する (Hoji suru) for records/status.

    If you keep a world record, use 'hoji'. If you keep a forest healthy, use 'hozen'.

Tipps

Use in Reports

When writing a business or school report about environmental issues, use '保全' to sound more professional. It shows you understand the technical side of conservation.

Compound Nouns

Learn the compound '環境保全' (Kankyou Hozen) as a single unit. It is much more common than the verb '環境を保全する' in many contexts.

Job Interviews

If applying for a job in a Japanese factory (monozukuri), mention your interest in '設備保全' (setsubi hozen). It's a highly valued skill.

Corporate CSR

Look for the 'CSR' or 'Environmental' page on a Japanese company's website. You will see '保全' used everywhere there.

System Integrity

Think of 'hozen' as maintaining the 'health' of a system. If the system is working well, you 'hozen' it to keep it that way.

The 'Zen' Kanji

The kanji 全 (zen) means 'all/complete'. This is the key. You are keeping the thing 'complete' and 'whole'.

Signboards

In Japan, look for signs that say '景観保全' (Landscape Conservation). They usually appear in beautiful historical areas like Kyoto.

News Keywords

When you hear 'hozen' on the news, it's almost always followed by a discussion about government policy or environmental change.

Formal Ending

In formal writing, '保全する' is often followed by 'ことが求められている' (it is required that...). This is a standard essay pattern.

Satoyama

Read about 'Satoyama' to understand the Japanese philosophy of 'hozen'. It's about humans and nature working together.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'HO' (Home) that is 'ZEN' (Peaceful). To keep your home peaceful and complete, you must 'HO-ZEN' it (conserve/maintain it).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a technician in a green uniform holding a wrench in one hand and a seedling in the other. He is the 'Hozen' specialist, maintaining both machines and nature.

Word Web

Environment Maintenance Factory Biodiversity Integrity Legal Evidence Ecosystem Prevention

Herausforderung

Try to find three different signs in a Japanese park or station that use the word '保全'. Note if they are talking about nature, buildings, or safety.

Wortherkunft

Derived from Middle Chinese roots. The term entered Japanese as part of the massive influx of Sino-Japanese vocabulary (Kango) used for administrative and technical purposes.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning in Chinese characters is 'to keep' (保) 'whole/complete' (全). It implies preventing any part of a system from being lost.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Kultureller Kontext

There are no major sensitivities, but using 'hozen' for people (e.g., 'I will conserve my friend') is grammatically incorrect and sounds dehumanizing.

In English, we often use 'conservation' for nature and 'maintenance' for machines. Japanese uses 'hozen' for both, highlighting a unified view of systemic care.

Basic Environment Act (環境基本法) - Uses 'hozen' throughout its text. Toyota Production System - Uses 'hozen' as a key part of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan - Often have 'hozen' management plans.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Environmental Activism

  • 生態系を保全する
  • 保全活動に参加する
  • 自然環境の保全
  • 希少種を保全する

Factory/Engineering

  • 機械の保全
  • 予防保全のスケジュール
  • 設備を保全する
  • 保全チーム

Legal Proceedings

  • 証拠を保全する
  • 権利の保全
  • 保全命令
  • 情報の保全

Urban Planning

  • 景観を保全する
  • 歴史的建造物の保全
  • 街並み保全条例
  • 保全地区

IT/Data Management

  • データの完全性を保全する
  • システムの保全
  • バックアップによる保全
  • 整合性の保全

Gesprächseinstiege

"環境保全のために、私たちは何ができると思いますか? (What do you think we can do for environmental conservation?)"

"最近の工場の設備保全の状況はどうですか? (How is the current status of equipment maintenance in the factory?)"

"この古い建物を保全する価値があると思いますか? (Do you think this old building is worth conserving?)"

"証拠保全の手続きについて教えていただけますか? (Could you tell me about the procedures for evidence preservation?)"

"生物多様性の保全において、最も重要なことは何でしょうか? (What is the most important thing in conserving biodiversity?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

あなたが考える「理想的な環境保全」について書いてください。 (Write about your idea of 'ideal environmental conservation'.)

仕事や勉強で、何かを「保全する」ために努力していることはありますか? (Is there anything you are making an effort to 'conserve' or 'maintain' in your work or studies?)

日本の古い街並みを保全することのメリットとデメリットを挙げてください。 (List the pros and cons of conserving old Japanese streetscapes.)

「予防保全」という考え方は、私たちの日常生活にどう応用できるでしょうか? (How can the concept of 'preventive maintenance' be applied to our daily lives?)

次世代に保全して残したいものは何ですか? (What do you want to conserve and leave for the next generation?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No. For saving money, use '貯金する' (chokin suru) or '節約する' (setsuyaku suru). 'Hozen' is about maintaining the integrity of a system or environment, not accumulating currency.

It sounds very unnatural. Use '健康を維持する' (kenkou o iji suru) or '健康を守る' (kenkou o mamoru). 'Hozen' is too technical for personal biology.

It means 'preventive maintenance.' It's the practice of fixing things before they break to prevent accidents or shutdowns. It's a key term in Japanese manufacturing.

The most common term is '環境保全' (Kankyou Hozen). You will see this on many corporate websites and government documents.

No, it's a 'Level 2' or 'Level 3' word. You'll hear it on the news or at work, but you won't use it to talk about your hobbies or daily chores.

'Hoshu' is also maintenance, but it's often used for software (software maintenance) or traditional values (conservative politics). 'Hozen' is more common for physical equipment and nature.

No. Use '関係を維持する' (kankei o iji suru). 'Hozen' would make your relationship sound like a factory machine.

Both are correct. '保全する' is the verb form. '保全を行う' (to carry out conservation) is even more formal and often used in official reports.

Because evidence must be kept 'whole' and 'untampered with' (Zen) to be valid in court. '証拠保全' ensures the integrity of the evidence.

Yes, usually. It implies an active, human effort to manage and maintain something. If nature is just left alone without human help, it's usually not called 'hozen'.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using '保全する' to talk about nature.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It is important to maintain the factory equipment.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '環境保全' in a formal sentence about your company.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about 'conserving a historical building'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Let's conserve the ecosystem of this river.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain the difference between 'hozen' and 'hozon' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '予防保全' (preventive maintenance).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Create a sign text for a park about landscape conservation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The budget for conservation was increased.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '保全する' in a sentence about data integrity.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about protecting rare species using 'hozen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Conservation efforts are needed.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '保全される' (passive) in a sentence about a forest.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about 'evidence preservation' in a legal context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We have a duty to conserve this sea.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '保全管理'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'How can we conserve biodiversity?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '保全すべく' in a very formal sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about maintaining infrastructure.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Please cooperate with the conservation activities.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce '保全する' correctly with pitch accent.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Let's conserve nature' in formal Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe your job if you were a maintenance engineer.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask a colleague about the maintenance schedule.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Express the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Roleplay: Tell a tourist to respect the landscape conservation rules.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain the concept of 'preventive maintenance' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

State your company's commitment to the environment.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Suggest a new project for forest conservation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss the difficulties of historical building conservation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce '環境保全' (Kankyou Hozen).

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'We must preserve the evidence' in a serious tone.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain why you joined a conservation volunteer group.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Talk about data integrity in a meeting.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask if a certain area is a conservation zone.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Give a short speech about leaving nature for the next generation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss the impact of AI on infrastructure maintenance.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I am interested in environmental conservation' in an interview.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain the role of a forest in water conservation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Argue for more budget for maintenance.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to the sentence and identify the object: 「政府は湿地を保全することを決めた。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the type of maintenance mentioned: 「予防保全のスケジュールを確認してください。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the speaker's duty? 「自然を保全するのは、私たちの義務です。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and choose the correct word: 「( )保全のボランティアに参加する。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is being conserved in this legal context? 「証拠保全の手続きを始めます。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the conservation successful? 「トキの保全に成功しました。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the problem? 「予算不足で保全が難しい。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Where is the conservation happening? 「この地域の景観を保全します。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What kind of activity is it? 「保全活動のリーダーを務めています。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the verb: 「古い建物を保全する。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the target? 「権利の保全を図る。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it active or passive? 「自然が保全されている。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is essential? 「住民の協力が保全には欠かせない。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the adverb: 「適切に保全されています。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the topic? 「生物多様性の保全について話します。」

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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