maintenance

maintenance — noun

1. the regular care, cleaning, and repair work that keeps buildings, vehicles, road

1.名詞B1
釋義

the regular care, cleaning, and repair work that keeps buildings, vehicles, roads, or machines working properly and safely

例句

The apartment building's regular maintenance includes checking the elevator and cleaning the hallways every week.

collocation: regular maintenance / routine maintenance

Soraya took her car to the garage for routine maintenance before the long drive.

同義詞
  • upkeep

    closer synonym, but mostly used for homes, gardens, and property rather than vehicles or machines

  • servicing

    used specifically for vehicles and mechanical equipment that undergo regular checks

  • repair work

    focuses on fixing broken items rather than preventive care

反義詞
  • neglect

    the failure to take proper care of something, leading to deterioration

文法句型

adjective + maintenance (routine / preventive / basic)

maintenance + of + noun phrase (the building / the road / the machine)

用法筆記

In everyday conversation, maintenance often contrasts with repair — maintenance is done regularly to prevent problems, while repairs fix things that have already broken.

常見錯誤

❌I need to do some maintenance on my broken phone.
✅I need to get my broken phone repaired.
💡Maintenance is regular preventive care, not fixing something already broken.

2. regular payments that a divorced person is legally required to make to their for

2.名詞B2
釋義

regular payments that a divorced person is legally required to make to their former spouse or for the care of their children

例句

After the divorce, João is required to pay monthly maintenance for his two children.

pattern: pay maintenance for [children]

The court increased the maintenance payments when Sari's living costs went up.

同義詞
  • alimony

    specifically spousal support after divorce; more common in US English

  • child support

    payments made specifically for the care of children, not the former spouse

  • financial support

    broader term that covers any kind of monetary assistance, not just post-divorce payments

文法句型

child / spousal + maintenance

pay / receive + maintenance

maintenance + payments / order

用法筆記

In British and Commonwealth legal systems, maintenance commonly refers to financial support after divorce. In the US, alimony is more common for spousal support and child support for payments toward children.

常見錯誤

❌My parents give me a monthly maintenance of NT$5,000.
✅My parents give me a monthly allowance of NT$5,000.
💡Maintenance as a legal term refers only to court-ordered payments after divorce, not general financial support from family.

3. the act of keeping a condition, situation, or level of activity going without al

3.名詞B2
釋義

the act of keeping a condition, situation, or level of activity going without allowing it to weaken or stop

例句

The maintenance of peace in the region requires ongoing talks between both sides.

pattern: maintenance of [abstract noun — peace / order / health]

Darius believes the maintenance of a healthy diet is as important as regular exercise.

同義詞
  • preservation

    stronger emphasis on protecting something from harm or decay over time

  • continuation

    simply means keeping something going, without the sense of preventing weakening

  • sustenance

    formal; keeping something alive or supported, often used for life, growth, or institutions

反義詞

文法句型

the maintenance + of + abstract noun (peace / order / health / standards)

for the maintenance + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically found in formal or academic writing rather than everyday conversation. Common in phrases like maintenance of order, maintenance of standards, and maintenance of relationships.

常見錯誤

❌The maintenance of the meeting after lunch was productive.
✅The continuation of the meeting after lunch was productive.
💡Maintenance implies keeping something from weakening or disappearing, not simply keeping it going forward.