Translation guide
The English word "keeper" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a person who manages or guards something, a romantic partner worth keeping, and a sports goalkeeper. It also touches on less common uses like a custodian or a fish worth keeping.
Refers to a person responsible for looking after a place, collection, or animals, such as a zookeeper, lighthouse keeper, or storekeeper.
Specifically for a zookeeper or someone who raises and cares for animals in a facility.
彼は動物園の飼育員です。
He is a zookeeper.
General term for a caretaker, manager, or superintendent of a building, facility, or property.
灯台の管理人は毎日灯りを点検します。
The lighthouse keeper inspects the light every day.
A guard or watchman, often for a gate or entrance. Can sound old-fashioned or literary.
門の番人が私たちを通してくれた。
The gatekeeper let us through.
Specifically a shopkeeper or store owner.
あの店主はとても親切だ。
That shopkeeper is very kind.
A guardian or protector, often in a spiritual or formal sense. Not for everyday jobs.
彼は伝統の守護者と見なされている。
He is regarded as a keeper of tradition.
Informal, often said about a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse who is loyal, kind, and a good long-term partner.
Literally 'if I were to marry, this person'. A common way to say someone is marriage material or a keeper.
彼は本当に優しい。結婚するならこの人だと思う。
He's so kind. I think he's a keeper.
Means 'a person you shouldn't let go'. Emphasizes not losing the person.
あんなに料理が上手で、手放しちゃだめな人だよ。
He cooks so well; he's a keeper.
Said to a friend: 'You've caught a good one.' Implies the partner is a keeper.
彼女、いつも気が利くよね。いい人捕まえたね。
She's always so thoughtful. You've got a keeper.
The player in soccer, hockey, etc., who guards the goal.
Standard loanword for goalkeeper in most sports.
彼はサッカーのゴールキーパーです。
He is a soccer goalkeeper.
Shortened, casual form of ゴールキーパー, common in conversation.
Literally 'guardian deity'. Used metaphorically for an outstanding goalkeeper, often in sports commentary.
A person who preserves or is responsible for something intangible like knowledge, culture, or secrets.
A successor or inheritor who carries on traditions or knowledge.
彼女はその技術の継承者だ。
She is the keeper of that technique.
A holder or possessor of something, like a record or title.
彼は世界記録の保持者です。
He is the keeper of the world record.
In fishing, a fish that meets legal size requirements and is kept rather than released.
Loanword from English 'keep size'. Refers to a fish large enough to keep.
これはキープサイズだ。
This one's a keeper.
Literally 'a fish you can take home'. Descriptive phrase.
今日は持ち帰れる魚が三匹釣れた。
I caught three keepers today.
In romantic contexts, directly translating 'keeper' as 保持者 or 管理人 would sound bizarre. Use the phrases provided that convey the idea of a desirable long-term partner.
彼は本当にいい人だよ。絶対手放しちゃだめ。
He's a really good guy. Definitely a keeper.
管理人 is a general caretaker/manager for buildings or facilities. 飼育員 is specifically for animal caretakers, like zookeepers. Don't use 飼育員 for a lighthouse keeper.
キーパーがナイスセーブした！
The keeper made a great save!
He is called the team's guardian deity (keeper).