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保
保 (readings: ほ, たも; Japanese kanji) means “protect / keep”. It is a Grade 5 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 5 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 保険 (insurance).
What does 保 mean?
| Kanji | 保 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | protect / keep |
| Readings | ほ, たも |
| Grade | Grade 5 (Hard) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 保
保 is read ほ or たも depending on the word.
Example words with 保
| Example | 保険 (insurance) |
|---|
Practice writing 保 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14