Translation guide
The English word 'keeping' covers several distinct ideas: holding onto something, storing it, maintaining a state, or continuing an action. Japanese expresses these with different verbs and patterns depending on what is being kept and why.
To keep an object, not throw it away or give it away.
Literally 'hold and put/keep'. Used when you decide to keep something rather than discard it. Very common.
この手紙は持っておきます。
I'll keep this letter.
To keep something for later use, to set aside. Often used for saving things.
残った料理は取っておいてください。
Please keep the leftover food.
To keep in storage, to keep safely. More formal than 取っておく.
大切な書類は金庫に保管しています。
I keep important documents in a safe.
To leave something as it is, to keep it remaining. Often used for food or things you don't take with you.
お金は全部使わないで、少し残しておこう。
Let's keep some money instead of spending it all.
To keep something in a particular location for safekeeping or convenience.
To put away, to store. Used for putting things back in their usual place.
使ったら元の場所にしまってください。
Please keep it in its original place after use.
To leave something somewhere, to keep it there for now.
かばんはここに置いておいてもいいですか。
Can I keep my bag here?
To keep in storage, often for valuable or important items.
ワインは涼しい場所に保管してください。
Please keep the wine in a cool place.
To keep something in a certain state (e.g., keep it clean, keep it warm).
Pattern: noun/na-adjective + にしておく. Means to keep something in that state.
部屋をきれいにしておいてください。
Please keep the room clean.
飲み物を冷たくしておく。
Keep the drinks cold.
Pattern: i-adjective (〜く) + しておく. Keeps something in that adjective state.
スープを温かくしておいて。
Keep the soup warm.
To maintain, to preserve. More formal/literary. Often used for abstract things like balance or health.
To keep doing something, to continue an action.
Attach to verb stem (masu-form minus ます). Means 'to keep doing' or 'to continue doing'.
彼は一晩中歩き続けた。
He kept walking all night.
雨が降り続けている。
It keeps raining.
Used after past-tense verb or noun+の to indicate a state is kept unchanged. Often 'keep ~ing' in the sense of leaving something as is.
ドアを開けたままにしないでください。
Don't keep the door open.
Adverb meaning 'all the time' or 'continuously'. Often used with verbs to express 'keep doing'.
彼はずっとしゃべっている。
He keeps talking.
To keep something abstract like a promise or a schedule.
To protect, to obey, to keep (a promise, rule, etc.). The standard verb for keeping promises.
約束は守ります。
I will keep my promise.
時間を守ってください。
Please be on time (lit. keep the time).
To keep an animal, to have a pet.
To keep a written record regularly.
Used with 日記 (diary) or 記録 (record). Means to keep a diary/log.
毎日日記をつけています。
I keep a diary every day.
To make someone wait.
Causative of 待つ (to wait). Means to keep someone waiting.
お待たせしてすみません。
Sorry to keep you waiting.
The loanword キープする is used in limited contexts like sports (keep the ball) or reserving a seat. For most meanings of 'keep', use the native Japanese verbs above.
Exercise is important to keep healthy.