JLPT N1 · Japanese kanji
保 — protect
- Reading
- ホ・ホウ・たも.つ
- Meaning
- protect; guarantee; keep; preserve; sustain; support
- JLPT level
- N1
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
保 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N1 level. Its primary reading is ホ・ホウ・たも.つ and it means protect; guarantee; keep; preserve; sustain; support. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
保 appears in everyday japanese words such as 保つ (to keep), 保守 (conservative) and 保母 (day care worker in a kindergarten nursery school etc.).
Japanese words containing 保
Frequently asked questions
What does 保 mean in Japanese?
保 means protect; guarantee; keep; preserve; sustain; support in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N1 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 保 read?
保 is read ホ・ホウ・たも.つ. Reading it inside real words — 保つ and 保守 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 保 — is it JLPT N1?
Yes. 保 is on the official JLPT N1 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 保 in a word?
A common word containing 保 is 保つ (たもつ) — "to keep". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 保 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 保 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N1 kanji
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