Translation and Meaning of: 持つ - motsu

The Japanese word 「持つ」 (motsu) is a verb that means "to hold," "to own," or "to have." This expression is commonly used in everyday Japanese to convey the idea of being in possession of something, whether physical or abstract. The use of 「持つ」 encompasses various situations, from holding an object with one's hands to having an opinion or feeling.

Etymologically, 「持つ」 is composed of the kanji 「持」, which by itself conveys the meaning of "to hold" or "to support." This kanji is formed by two radicals: 「扌」(te-hen), which relates to manual actions, and 「寺」 (tera), which originally means "temple." When combined, they transmit the idea of supporting something with the hands. This combination is a perfect representation of the action of holding, which is central to the meaning of 「持つ」.

The verb 「持つ」 is very versatile in the Japanese language and can be conjugated in different forms to express nuances of time and situation. Some common variations of this verb include 「持った」 (motta), which is the past of "to hold," and 「持っている」 (motte iru), which can be translated as "to be holding" or "to be possessing" in a continuous sense. In the negative form, we find 「持たない」 (motenai), which means "not to hold" or "not to have."

In the cultural context, 「持つ」 can reflect Japanese traditions of valuing what one possesses, whether material, such as handcrafted objects, or immaterial, such as knowledge and experiences. This verb is an integral part of the Japanese language and illustrates well the relationship people have with the things around them, a reflection of Japan's unique worldview.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 持つ

• 持つ - basic form
• 持っている - Present form
• 持った - past form
• 持って行く - Progressive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 持ちます (Mochimasu) - Have, hold
• 保つ (Tamotsu) - Maintain, preserve (usually focusing on state or condition)
• 手に入れる (Te ni ireru) - Obtain, get (emphasizes the action of acquiring something)
• 手元に置く (Temoto ni oku) - Put within reach, have on hand
• 手に持つ (Te ni motsu) - Hold hands
• 手中に収める (Shuchuu ni osameru) - To have under control, to master something
• 持ち運ぶ (Mochihauka) - Transport, carry (focus on moving something from one place to another)
• 持ち歩く (Mochi aruku) - Carry with you, take (walk with something)
• 携える (Tazusawaru) - Carry along, bear (emphasizes the idea of carrying together)
• 携帯する (Keitai suru) - Charge (usually refers to devices like cell phones)
• 持参する (Jisan suru) - Take along, bring (refers to bringing something on a trip)
• 持ち込む (Mochikomu) - Enter with, bring in (emphasizes the entry)
• 持ち帰る (Mochikaeru) - Bring back, take back (emphasizes the return with something)
• 持ち出す (Mochidasu) - Remove, take out (emphasizes the action of taking out from a place)
• 持ち上げる (Mochiageru) - Lift, raise (emphasizes the action of lifting something)
• 持ち続ける (Mochitsuzukeru) - Continue to have, maintain continuously
• 持ち堪える (Mochitaeru) - Support, endure (emphasizes the idea of hanging on)
• 持ち合わせる (Mochiawaseru) - Be equipped with, have available (refers to having something on hand)

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持つ

Romaji: motsu
Kana: もつ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to maintain; to possess; to take

Meaning in English: to hold;to possess;to carry

Definition: I have this in my hand.

Example Sentences - (持つ) motsu

See below some example sentences:

自主性を持つことが大切です。

Jishusei wo motsu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to have autonomy.

It is important to have independence.

• 自主性 (jishusei) - autonomy, independence
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持つ (motsu) - possess, have
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - verb to be, to be (polite form)

良識を持って行動することが大切です。

Ryoushiki wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with common sense.

• 良識 - means "common sense" or "correct judgment".
• を - direct object particle in Japanese.
• 持って - form of the verb 持つ (motsu) that means "to have" or "to possess".
• 行動する - means "to act" or "to behave".
• こと - abstract noun that indicates "thing" or "action".
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - polite form of the verb to be in Japanese.

良心を持って行動することが大切です。

Ryoushin wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with conscience.

• 良心 - It means "consciousness" or "sense of justice".
• を - object particle.
• 持って - form of the verb 持つ (motsu), which means "to have" or "to possess", in the gerund.
• 行動 - means "action" or "behavior".
• する - Verb form of the word する (suru), which means "to do" or "to perform".
• こと - Abstract noun that indicates "thing" or "fact".
• が - Subject particle.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - polite form of the verb だ (da), which indicates "to be" or "to exist".

荷物を持っていますか？

Nimotsu wo motteimasu ka?

Are you carrying luggage?

Do you have luggage?

• 荷物 - "Bagagem" em japonês significa 荷物 (にもつ, nimotsu).
• を - It is a direct object particle in Japanese, indicating that "荷物" is the object of the sentence.
• 持っていますか - It is a question in Japanese that means "Do you have (holding) the luggage?". "持っています" is the present form of the verb "持つ" (to have, to hold) and "か" is a question particle.
• ？ - It is the question mark character used to indicate that the sentence is a question.

角を持っていますか？

Kado wo motteimasu ka?

Do you have a triangle?

Do you have a corner?

• 角 (kaku) - means "singing" or "angle" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持っていますか？(motteimasu ka?) - It means "do you have?" in Japanese.

観念は現実を創造する力を持っている。

Kannen wa genjitsu o souzou suru chikara o motte iru

The idea has the power to create reality.

• 観念 - concept, idea
• は - Topic particle
• 現実 - reality
• を - direct object particle
• 創造する - Create, produce
• 力 - power, strength
• を - direct object particle
• 持っている - Land, possess

私はこのプロジェクトを受け持ちます。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto wo ukemochi masu

I will be responsible for this project.

I take this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - katakana word meaning "project"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 受け持ちます (ukemochimasu) - verb meaning "to take responsibility for"

平常心を持ちましょう。

Heijoushin wo mochimashou

Let's stay calm and serene.

Let's have a normal heart.

• 平常心 - It means "calm mind" or "serene state of mind."
• を - direct object particle.
• 持ちましょう - verb "to have" conjugated in the imperative, meaning "let's have."

私はこのプロジェクトの受け持ちをしています。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no ukemochi o shiteimasu

I am responsible for this project.

I am in charge of this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 受け持ち (ukemochi) - noun meaning "responsibility"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "responsibility"
• しています (shiteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm taking over"

誘惑に負けない強さを持ちたい。

Yuuyoku ni makenai tsuyosa wo mochitai

I want to have the strength not to give in to temptation.

I want to have a strength as good as temptation.

• 誘惑 (yuuwaku) - temptation
• に (ni) - target particle
• 負けない (makenai) - don't lose
• 強さ (tsuyosa) - strength
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持ちたい (mochitai) - want to have