keep
gb/kˈip/ us/kˈip/
A2
English
~ 200
megtart, megőriz, folytat, folyton, tovább, tart, tárol, betart, titokban tart, öregtorony, donjon
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to keep [something]
I decided to keep the old photographs.
Úgy döntöttem, megtartom a régi fényképeket.
You should keep your receipt in case you need to return the item.
Őrizd meg a blokkot arra az esetre, ha vissza kellene vinned a terméket.
She kept the necklace her grandmother gave her.
They kept the house even after moving abroad.
Learner examples
I want to keep this book.
Meg akarom tartani ezt a könyvet.
He keeps all his letters.
Megőrzi az összes levelét.
Please keep your ticket.
We keep our car in the garage.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'keep' with 'store'. 'Keep' means continue to have, while 'store' means put away for later use.
Meaning
Continue to have or hold
Collocations
keep a promise
|keep your job
|keep a secret
|keep control
|keep money
Synonyms
retain (More formal; often used in business or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
lose (To no longer have something you once had.)
Themes
daily life
|ownership
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To still have something and not give it away or lose it.
To continue to have possession, control, or use of something.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to keep [doing something]
He kept talking even after the meeting ended.
Az értekezlet vége után is tovább beszélt.
You should keep practicing to improve.
Gyakorolj tovább, hogy fejlődj.
She kept smiling despite the bad news.
They kept running until they reached the park.
Learner examples
I keep reading this book every day.
Mindennap tovább olvasom ezt a könyvet.
She keeps calling me.
Folyton hívogat.
They keep playing the same song.
We keep walking to school.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use the -ing form after 'keep'.
Meaning
Continue an action or behavior
Collocations
keep talking
|keep working
|keep smiling
|keep trying
Synonyms
persist (More formal; often used for determination despite difficulty.)
Antonyms
stop (To end an action or activity.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do something again and again without stopping.
To persist in doing something without stopping.
VERB
A2
3
tart
A2
Usage pattern:
to keep [something] [adjective]
Please keep the door closed.
Kérlek, tartsd csukva az ajtót.
The heater keeps the room warm.
A fűtőtest melegen tartja a szobát.
We need to keep the kitchen clean.
He kept his voice low so no one would hear.
Learner examples
Keep your hands clean.
Tartsd tisztán a kezedet.
We keep the windows open in summer.
Nyáron nyitva tartjuk az ablakokat.
She keeps her phone on silent.
They keep the dog inside at night.
Meaning
Maintain a state or condition
Collocations
keep clean
|keep warm
|keep quiet
|keep safe
Synonyms
maintain (More formal; often used for upkeep or standards.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to maintain or care for.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
To make something stay the same way.
To cause someone or something to remain in a particular state, condition, or position.
VERB
A2
4
Usage pattern:
to keep [something] [somewhere]
We keep our winter clothes in the attic.
A téli ruháinkat a padláson tartjuk.
Keep the milk in the fridge so it doesn't spoil.
Tartsd a tejet a hűtőben, hogy ne romoljon meg.
She keeps all her files on her laptop.
I keep some snacks in my desk drawer.
Learner examples
I keep my shoes under the bed.
A cipőimet az ágy alatt tartom.
We keep water in bottles.
A vizet palackokban tároljuk.
He keeps money in his wallet.
They keep books on the shelf.
Meaning
Store or preserve for later use
Collocations
keep food fresh
|keep records
|keep documents safe
Synonyms
store (Focuses more on putting away rather than continuing possession.)
Antonyms
throw away (To discard something instead of keeping it.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put something in a place so you can use it later.
To store something in a particular place or condition so it can be used later.
VERB
B1
5
betart
B1
Usage pattern:
to keep [a promise/rule/secret]
She always keeps her promises.
Mindig betartja az ígéreteit.
Please keep this secret between us.
Kérlek, tartsd ezt titokban, maradjon köztünk.
He kept the rules during the game.
They kept their word and finished on time.
Learner examples
I will keep my promise.
Be fogom tartani az ígéretemet.
Please keep this secret.
Kérlek, tartsd ezt titokban.
He keeps all the rules at school.
We keep our word.
Meaning
Fulfill or obey rules or promises
Collocations
keep a secret
|keep a promise
|keep the law
Synonyms
honor (More formal and moralistic; often used for commitments and promises.)
Antonyms
break (In this context, to fail to follow a promise or rule.)
Themes
social behavior
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do what you said you would do or follow a rule.
To fulfill an obligation, promise, or rule by acting according to it.
NOUN
B2
6
öregtorony
C1
donjon
C2
The soldiers retreated to the keep when the walls were breached.
A katonák az öregtoronyba vonultak vissza, amikor áttörték a várfalakat.
Tourists can visit the castle's keep and museum.
A turisták meglátogathatják a vár öregtornyát és múzeumát.
The king's family lived in the keep during wartime.
Learner examples
The castle has a tall keep.
A várnak magas öregtornya van.
People hide in the keep during war.
Háború idején az emberek az öregtoronyban rejtőznek el.
The king lives in the keep.
Meaning
Strong castle tower or fortress center
Collocations
castle keep
Synonyms
donjon (Technical historical term for a castle's main tower.)
Themes
history
|travel
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The main strong tower in an old castle where people could be safe during attacks.
The strongest part of a castle, often a tower, used as a last defense and sometimes as living quarters.
Grammar
Dictionary form
keep
IPA
GB/kˈip/
US/kˈip/
Syllables & stress
keep (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (keep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: keep
- Plural: keep, keeps
Verb
- Base: keep
- 3rd Person Singular: keeps
- Present Participle: keeping
- Past: kept
- Past Participle: kept
Word family
Highlights
- Irregular past: kept Verb
- Irregular past participle: kept Verb
Expressions
keep going
1/kˈip ɡˈoʊɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Continue without stopping
To continue doing something without stopping, even if it is difficult.
Examples
- Even when you're tired, you have to keep going.
- She kept going until she finished her project.
keep out of trouble
1/kˈip ˈaʊt əv tɹˈʌbəl/
fixed phrase
Avoid situations causing problems/punishment
To avoid doing things that might get you into trouble with others or with the law.
Examples
- Try to keep out of trouble while I'm gone.
- He moved to a quiet town to keep out of trouble.
keep up with
1/kˈip ˈʌp wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Stay at same speed/level as someone/something
To move or progress at the same speed or level as someone or something else.
Examples
- I walk fast, so try to keep up with me.
- It's hard to keep up with all the latest news.
keep up with
5/kˈip ˈʌp wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
stay level or informed
To not fall behind someone, work, news, or changes.
Examples
- It’s hard to keep up with all the changes at work.
- Slow down—I can’t keep up with you.
- He reads the news to keep up with current events.
Learner examples
- I try to keep up with my English class.
- She can’t keep up with all her messages.
keep in mind
1/kˈip ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Remember when considering something important
To remember something because it is important for what you are doing now or will do later.
Examples
- Keep in mind that prices may change.
- Please keep in mind our deadline is next week.
keep in mind
2/kˈip ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Remember for later use or consideration
To remember something because it may be important later.
Examples
- Keep in mind that he is very busy these days.
- Keep in mind that this offer ends tomorrow.
keep an eye on
1/kˈip ən ˈaɪ ˈɔn/
idiom
Watch carefully for safety/attention
To watch someone or something carefully to make sure they are safe or doing what they should.
Examples
- Can you keep an eye on the kids while I cook?
- Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
- Please keep an eye on my bag while I'm away.
- Parents should keep an eye on their children at the park.
- She kept an eye on the soup while it was cooking.
keep an eye on
2/kˈip ən ˈaɪ ˈɔn/
idiom
watch or monitor
to watch someone or something carefully
Examples
- Can you keep an eye on my bag while I buy a ticket?
- Please keep an eye on the children in the garden.
- We need to keep an eye on costs this month.
Learner examples
- Could you keep an eye on my laptop for a minute?
- The doctor wants to keep an eye on my blood pressure.