保留
horyū[ho̞ɾʲɨː]
The English word 'pending' can be translated into Japanese as 保留 (horyū).
保留 is used to denote the act of putting something on hold or keeping it pending. When describing something that is not yet resolved or is still pending in a formal context, the term 未決 is also used. Additionally, if you want to convey that something is pending in the sense of being 'to be determined', you can use 未定.
Meaning: begun but not completed (adj)
Which one should you use?
保留 implies a deliberate decision to delay or hold a matter, whereas 未完了 is used more generally to describe a task or process that is simply unfinished or incomplete.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the specific action of putting something on hold or keeping it pending, use the noun 保留 followed by the verb にする to form 保留にする.
How do you pronounce it?
horyū
Did you know?
- The nuance of 保留 can sometimes be used politely to signal a soft 'no' in a business negotiation, effectively stalling without a direct rejection.
- In legal contexts, 未決 is specifically used for 'pending' cases, and a prisoner awaiting trial is called a 未決囚, or 'pending prisoner'.
- While 保留 describes a pending status, Japanese phone systems use the same word for the 'hold' button on a telephone.
Examples in context
- 申込書の未決事項について、ご確認ください。Please confirm the pending items on the application form.
- お問い合わせいただいた件について、現在保留中です。We are currently keeping the matter you inquired about on hold.
- デートの予定、まだ決まっていないんだ。The plans for the date are still pending.
- 彼からの返事はまだ保留中だよ。I'm still waiting for a response from him.
- まだ決まっていませんか？Has it not been decided yet?
- この質問については、まだ未定です。The answer to this question is still pending/undecided.
- 予定が未決なので、決まり次第お知らせします。The schedule/plan is pending, so I will let you know as soon as it is decided.
- この件は一旦保留にしてください。Kono ken wa ittan horyu ni shite kudasai.Please put this matter on hold for a moment.
- 返答は保留の状態です。Hento wa horyu no jotai desu.The response is currently pending.
- 決定はまだ保留されています。Kettei wa mada horyu sarete imasu.The decision is still pending.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are discussing a business proposal at a cafe.
- 健太 Kentaあのプロジェクトの進捗はどうですか？Ano purojekuto no shinchoku wa do desu ka?How is the progress on that project?
- 陽葵 Himari今はまだ保留になっています。Ima wa mada horyu ni natte imasu.It is still pending right now.
- 健太 Kentaいつ頃決まりそうですか？Itsugoro kimarisodesu ka?Around when do you think it will be decided?
- 陽葵 Himari来週には確定すると思います。Raishu ni wa kakutei suru to omoimasu.I think it will be finalized next week.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 保留, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
