キープ

noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, noun

keep; maintain; hold

Used as キープする for keeping a lead, level, quality, position, or situation from changing. More casual and katakana-like than 維持する.

• チームは最さい後ごまでリードをキープした。

  The team kept its lead until the end.

• この店みせは高たかい品ひん質しつをキープしている。

  This shop maintains a high level of quality.

noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, noun

reserve; save; put aside

Used for holding something for someone or keeping it available, such as a seat, item, room, or place.

• 友とも達だちの席せきをキープしておいた。

  I saved a seat for my friend.

• その商しょう品ひんを一ひとつキープしてもらえますか。

  Could you put one of that item aside for me?

noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, noun

keep the ball; retain possession

Sports use, especially in soccer, rugby, and similar games, for controlling the ball and not losing possession.

• 彼かれは相あい手てに囲かこまれてもボールをキープした。

  He kept possession of the ball even when surrounded by opponents.

noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, noun

hold serve

Tennis use: to win one’s own service game. Commonly appears as サービスゲームをキープする.

• 彼かの女じょは最さい初しょのサービスゲームをキープした。

  She held her first service game.

noun

backup dating option; person kept as a fallback

Colloquial and somewhat blunt use for someone one keeps dating or stringing along while hoping for someone better.

• 本ほん命めいがいるのに、彼かれをキープにしておくのは失しつ礼れいだ。

  It is rude to keep him as a backup when you already have someone you really want.