Translation guide
The English verb "retain" covers keeping possession, maintaining a state, holding in memory, and securing services. Japanese uses different verbs and patterns depending on the nuance.
To continue to have or hold something, not lose or give it away.
Formal and common for retaining objects, rights, or status. Often used in official contexts.
He still retains his position.
The everyday verb for "have" or "hold." Use when the sense of retaining is simply continuing to have.
He still retains the book.
Used for retaining assets, property, or stocks. Business/legal term.
The company retains a lot of land.
To keep something in a particular state, such as heat, moisture, or shape.
General verb for maintaining a state. Works for temperature, balance, quality, etc.
To hold information in memory.
The standard way to say "remember" or "retain in memory."
To hire or keep a professional like a lawyer or consultant.
General verb for hiring or employing someone.
保持する is for retaining objects, rights, or data. 保つ is for maintaining a state or condition. Use 保持する for a passport, 保つ for temperature.
retain a passport
This material retains heat well.
Formal, often for systems, standards, or conditions over time.
It's difficult to retain the current situation.
To keep something from leaving or escaping; often used for moisture, attention, etc.
This cream retains moisture in the skin.
He still retains those words in his memory.
More formal; to commit to memory. Often used in studying contexts.
Students must retain a lot of information.
Literary; to hold in one's heart or mind. Often used with 心に.
I retained the scene in my heart.
He retained a lawyer.
To request services, often used for lawyers, detectives, etc. Implies a formal engagement.
We retained a detective for the investigation.
retain temperature
保持する can be used for memory in technical contexts (e.g., data retention), but for personal memory, use 覚えている or 記憶する.