preserve sth
We need to preserve the old building.
我们需要保护这座老建筑。
腌制；加工（食物）以便储存；保持；维持；用糖、盐等防腐物质防止腐坏；腌制并加工(水果、肉类等)以便储存。；始终保持；保持完整。
to protect something and keep it from being harmed or damaged
保护；使免受伤害或损伤。
To protect; to keep from harm or injury.
用糖、盐等防腐物质防止腐坏；腌制并加工(水果、肉类等)以便储存。
To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, such as sugar or salt; to season and prepare (fruits, meat, etc.) for storage.
始终保持；保持完整。
To maintain throughout; to keep intact.
一般现在时
We preserve food by canning it.
我们通过罐装保存食物。
一般过去时
They preserved the old building.
他们保护了这座旧建筑。
现在完成时
She has preserved her health for years.
她多年来一直保持健康。
动词形式规则变化
We need to preserve the old building from demolition.
我们需要保护这座老建筑免遭拆除。
用法提示：动词 preserve 在此表示‘保护’，指防止被毁坏。
She preserved the fruit by making jam.
她通过制作果酱来保存水果。
用法提示：动词 preserve 在此表示‘保存’，指加工以防腐坏。
It is important to preserve a positive attitude during difficult times.
在困难时期保持积极态度很重要。
用法提示：动词 preserve 在此表示‘保持’，指维持某种状态不变。
We need to preserve the old building.
我们需要保护这座老建筑。
The museum preserves the manuscripts from decay.
博物馆保护手稿免受腐烂。
She preserved the fruit for the winter.
她为冬天保存了水果。
preserve强调保持原样，protect更强调抵御外部威胁
preserve侧重保存不改变，conserve强调节约使用
preserve侧重维持原状，maintain强调持续保养
preserve侧重保存不腐坏，save强调挽救或节省
keep含义最广，常泛指保持，不如preserve具体
grammar · medium
易错句子I want to preserve a table for dinner.
正确表达I want to reserve a table for dinner.
在中文里，'保留'可以对应'preserve'和'reserve'。但'preserve'更强调'保护、保存'，而预定座位应该用'reserve'。
grammar · medium
易错句子We should preserve water during the drought.
正确表达We should conserve water during the drought.
虽然'preserve'和'conserve'都有'保存'的意思，但'preserve'侧重保持原样，而'conserve'强调节约使用。资源节约应使用'conserve'。
preserve侧重保护以防损坏，conserve侧重合理利用以节约资源。
preserve是保存物体或状态，reserve是预留位置或资源。
preserve强调保持原样不改变，maintain强调通过维护使状态持续。
保护环境
We must preserve the environment for future generations.
我们必须为后代保护环境。
保存食物
They use salt to preserve food.
他们用盐来保存食物。
保留传统
The community works hard to preserve its traditions.
这个社区努力保留其传统。
维护和平
The soldiers were sent to preserve the peace.
士兵被派去维护和平。
保存证据
The police must preserve evidence at the crime scene.
警方必须保存犯罪现场的证据。
保持健康
Regular exercise helps preserve one's health.
定期锻炼有助于保持健康。
pre- (before) + serve (keep)
pre- (before) + vent (come)
pre- (before) + pare (make ready)
re- (back) + serve (keep)
ob- (to) + serve (keep)
保持尊严
He managed to preserve his dignity even after losing his job.
即使在失业后，他也设法保持了尊严。
维持现状
Many people are reluctant to change and prefer to preserve the status quo.
许多人不愿改变，宁愿维持现状。
维护声誉
She worked hard to preserve her reputation in the community.
她努力维护自己在社区中的声誉。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.