HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 3
保持
To keep, maintain, or preserve.
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 3
Why does 保持 look like this?
'保' (bǎo) shows a person '亻' carrying a child '呆' (simplified from an infant on the back), symbolizing protection or care. '持' (chí) combines the hand radical '扌' with the phonetic '寺' (monastery/temple), suggesting holding or grasping something firmly. Together, they mean to protect and hold onto something to keep it in a certain state!