“To keep” in Japanese
Short answer
To keep in Japanese is “飼う” (kau). Full meaning: to keep (a pet or other animal), to have, to own, to raise, to rear, to feed.
Other ways to say “To keep” in Japanese
保つ
tamotsu to keep, to preserve, to hold, to retain, to maintain, to sustain; to last, to endure, to keep well (food), to wear well, to be durable
留め置く
tomeoku to detain, to keep, to lock up, to retain, to leave (letter) till called for
キープ
kiipu to keep (e.g. the lead), to maintain (a standard, situation, etc.); to put aside (for someone), to save (e.g. a seat); to keep (the ball; in soccer, rugby, etc.), to retain possession
預かる
azukaru to look after, to take care of, to keep, to hold on to, to keep in custody; to be put in charge of, to be given responsibility for, to be entrusted with; to withhold (an announcement), to reserve (judgment), to leave undecided
かお
kao to keep (a pet or other animal), to have, to own, to raise, to rear, to feed
守る
mamoru to protect, to guard, to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise), to abide (by the rules), to observe, to obey, to follow
こふ
koo to keep (a pet or other animal), to have, to own, to raise, to rear, to feed
かう
kau to keep (a pet or other animal), to have, to own, to raise, to rear, to feed
保っ
tamo to keep, to preserve, to hold, to retain, to maintain, to sustain; to last, to endure, to keep well (food), to wear well, to be durable
たもっ
tamo to keep, to preserve, to hold, to retain, to maintain, to sustain; to last, to endure, to keep well (food), to wear well, to be durable
かえる
kaeru to keep (a pet or other animal), to have, to own, to raise, to rear, to feed
Looking for the other direction? Search any Japanese word in the Nihoner lexicon, or practise what you have learned in the learning games.