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:

スーツケースを持って旅行に行く。

Sūtsukēsu o motte ryokō ni iku

Take a trip with a suitcase.

• スーツケース - suitcase
• を - object particle
• 持って - verb "to have" conjugated in the gerund
• 旅行 - trip
• に - target particle
• 行く - verb "to go" conjugated in the present tense

ドライバーを持っていますか？

Doraibā wo motte imasu ka?

Do you have a screwdriver?

Do you have a driver?

• ドライバー (doraibā) - screwdriver
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持っていますか？(motte imasu ka?) - you have?

ピストルを持っている。

Pisutoru wo motte iru

I have a pistol.

• ピストル (pisutoru) - gun
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持っている (motteiru) - Holding

万能な力を持っている。

Bannou na chikara wo motte iru

It has an omnipotent power.

It has a versatile power.

• 万能 (Bannou) - means "omnipotent" or "all-powerful".
• な (na) - a Japanese particle that is used to modify a noun or adjective.
• 力 (chikara) - means "strength" or "power".
• を (wo) - a Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of a sentence.
• 持っている (motteiru) - a verb that means "to have" or "to possess".

三角形は三つの辺を持つ図形です。

Sankakukei wa mittsu no hen o motsu zukukei desu

A triangle is a figure with three sides.

A triangle is a figure with three sides.

• 三角形 - means "triangle" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 三つ - means "three" in Japanese
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 辺 - means "side" in Japanese
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 持つ - means "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese
• 図形 - means "geometric figure" in Japanese
• です - polite way of being or being in Japanese

中性な性格を持っています。

Chuusei na seikaku wo motteimasu

I have a neutral personality.

• 中性 - means "neutral" or "impartial".
• な - a particle that indicates adjectives.
• 性格 - means "personality" or "character."
• を - a particle that indicates the object of the sentence.
• 持っています - means "to have" or "to possess".

人体は複雑な構造を持っています。

Jintai wa fukuzatsu na kozo o motte imasu

The human body has a complicated structure.

• 人体 (jintai) - Human body
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - complex
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 構造 (kouzou) - structure
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - Have, possess

余所見を持つことは大切です。

Yosoken wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have an outside perspective.

It is important to look extraordinary.

• 余所見 - External view
• 持つ - TO HAVE
• こと - Thing
• 大切 - Important
• です - is

傑は優れた才能を持っている。

Katsuo wa sugureta sainou wo motte iru

Katsuo has excellent talent.

He has excellent talent.

• 傑 - first name in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 優れた - adjective in Japanese that means "excellent"
• 才能 - noun in Japanese that means "talent"
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持っている - verb in Japanese meaning "to have"

勇気を持って挑戦しよう。

Yuuki wo motte chousen shiyou

Let's challenge with courage.

• 勇気 (yūki) - courage
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持って (motte) - carregando/segurando
• 挑戦 (chōsen) - Challenge
• しよう (shiyou) - let's do/try