持つ

motsu
verbBeginner
formal

to hold, to carry, to possess

この袋を持ってください

Please hold this bag

彼は重要な役割を持っている

He holds an important role

💡

Commonly used for physical objects or abstract concepts like responsibilities

informal

to have, to own

私は車を持っています

I have a car

彼女は多くの本を持っている

She has many books

💡

Often used interchangeably with 所有する (shoyuu suru) for possession

Collocations

意見を持つto have an opinion責任を持つto take responsibility希望を持つto have hope

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

持ってくるphrase
to bring
持っていくphrase
to take

💡Pro Tip

Polite Form

Use 持っています (motte imasu) in formal contexts

Gold Rule

Physical vs. Abstract

Use for both physical objects and abstract concepts like responsibilities

📖Word Origin

From Old Japanese 'motu', meaning to grasp or hold

📝Usage Notes

Can be used for both physical and abstract possession. The polite form is 持っています (motte imasu).

Word Breakdown

to hold
root
+
verb ending
suffix
和英辞典