HSK Level 3

保持

bǎo chí

to keep; hold; retain; maintain

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Example Sentences

请保持安静。

qǐng bǎo chí ān jìng .

Please be quiet.

务必保持教室整洁。

wù bì bǎo chí jiào shì zhěng jié .

Be sure to keep the classroom tidy.

继续保持下去。

jì xù bǎo chí xià qù .

Keep it up.

Synonyms

Antonyms

放弃 (fàngqì)

give up

抛弃 (pāoqì)

abandon

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 保持 (bǎochí) is composed of two characters: 保 (bǎo), meaning "to protect" or "to keep", and 持 (chí), meaning "to hold" or "to maintain". Together, these characters form the verb 保持, which means "to maintain" or "to keep something in its current state".The word 保持 has been used in Chinese for centuries, and it has a rich history of usage. In ancient Chinese texts, 保持 was often used to refer to the act of preserving or protecting something of value. For example, the phrase 保持和平 (bǎochí hépíng) means "to maintain peace", and the phrase 保持健康 (bǎochí jiànkāng) means "to maintain good health".In modern Chinese, 保持 is still used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to refer to the act of maintaining a physical object, such as a building or a machine. It can also be used to refer to the act of maintaining a state of mind or a relationship. For example, the phrase 保持冷静 (bǎochí lěngjìng) means "to stay calm", and the phrase 保持联系 (bǎochí liánxì) means "to keep in touch".The word 保持 is a versatile and important word in Chinese. It is used in a wide variety of contexts, and it is essential for HSK learners to understand its meaning and usage.