Meaning of 维护
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to defend
- to safeguard
- to protect
- to uphold
- to maintain
How to use 维护
维护 is used for protecting abstract things like rights, order, peace, or reputation, and also for maintaining systems or equipment. It often appears in formal or news language. Example: 我们要维护自己的权利。(Wǒmen yào wéihù zìjǐ de quánlì.) We must defend our own rights.
维 (wéi) has the silk radical 纟, like threads tying something together, and 护 (hù) has the hand radical 扌, a hand guarding. Picture binding something tightly and holding it with your hand so nothing can break it apart.
Common mistake: Learners often use 维护 where 保护 (bǎohù) fits better. 保护 is for physical protection of people, animals, or the environment, as in 保护动物, while 维护 suits rights, order, or stability. Also do not confuse it with 维修 (wéixiū), which means repairing broken things.
维护 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
维 wéi · to preserve · 11 strokes
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护 hù · to protect · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 维护.
| 护照 | hùzhào | passport |
| 保护 | bǎohù | to protect; to defend |
| 护士 | hùshi | nurse |
| 维持 | wéichí | to keep; to maintain; to preserve |
| 维修 | wéixiū | maintenance (of equipment); to protect and maintain |
| 爱护 | àihù | to cherish; to treasure |
| 思维 | sīwéi | (line of) thought; thinking |
| 二维码 | èrwéimǎ | 2D barcode; matrix code; (esp.) QR code |
| 维生素 | wéishēngsù | vitamin |
| 掩护 | yǎnhù | to screen; to shield |
| 救护车 | jiùhùchē | ambulance |
| 辩护 | biànhù | to speak in defense of; to argue in favor of |
Questions about 维护
What does 维护 mean?
维护 (wéihù) means "to defend; to safeguard" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 维护?
维护 is made of 2 characters: 维 (11 strokes), 护 (7 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 维护 an HSK word?
Yes. 维护 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 维护 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 维护 is written 維護.
What is the difference between 维护 and 维持?
维持 (wéichí) means to keep something going at its current level, like 维持生活 (to make a living). 维护 adds the idea of actively defending or protecting it from harm, like 维护和平 (to safeguard peace).
Can 维护 be used for computers and websites?
Yes. 系统维护 (xìtǒng wéihù) means system maintenance, and you may see 网站正在维护 (the website is under maintenance). Here it means routine upkeep, not repair after a breakdown.