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:

激励は人を勇気づける力を持っています。

Gekirei wa hito wo yuuki zukeru chikara wo motte imasu

Encouragement has the power to give people courage.

Encouragement has the power to encourage people.

• 激励 - stimulus, incentive
• は - Topic particle
• 人 - person
• を - direct object particle
• 勇気づける - encourage, give courage
• 力 - strength, power
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - Land, possess

熱意を持って取り組むことが成功の鍵です。

Netsui wo motte torikumu koto ga seikou no kagi desu

Working with enthusiasm is the key to success.

• 熱意 (netsui) - enthusiasm, passion
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持って (motte) - having, possessing
• 取り組む (torikumu) - address, deal with
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 成功 (seikou) - success
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 鍵 (kagi) - key
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

牧師は教会で礼拝を導く役割を持っています。

Bokushi wa kyoukai de raihai o michibiku yakuwari o motte imasu

The pastor has the role of leading the cult in the church.

The pastor has the role of guiding the cult in the church.

• 牧師 - pastor
• は - Topic particle
• 教会 - church
• で - Location particle
• 礼拝 - cult
• を - direct object particle
• 導く - lead, guide
• 役割 - Paper, function
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - Land, possess

物質は化学的な性質を持っています。

Bussitsu wa kagakuteki na seishitsu o motte imasu

Materials have chemical properties.

The materials have a chemical nature.

• 物質 - means "matter" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 化学的な - compound adjective formed by the words "化学" (chemistry) and "的" (suffix indicating that something is related to something). It means "chemical".
• 性質 - means "property" in Japanese.
• を - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb "持つ" (to have) conjugated in the polite and present form. It means "have".

特殊な能力を持っている。

Tokushu na nouryoku wo motte iru

I have a special ability.

It has a special ability.

• 特殊な - It means "special" or "unique."
• 能力 - means "skill" or "ability".
• を - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っている - It means "to have" or "to possess". It is the verb of the sentence.

独自のアイデアを持っています。

Dokuzi no aidea wo motteimasu

I have a unique idea.

• 独自 - means "original" or "unique".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• アイデア - borrowed word from English "idea", which means "idea".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - The verb "motsu", which means "to have" or "to possess", conjugated in the present affirmative.

王子は美しい庭園を持っています。

Ōji wa utsukushii teien o motteimasu

The prince has a beautiful garden.

• 王子 (ou ōji) - means "prince" in Japanese
• は (ou wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "prince"
• 美しい (ou utsukushii) - The adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese is "美しい" (utsukushii).
• 庭園 (ou teien) - noun meaning "garden" or "park" in Japanese
• を (ou o) - direct object particle in Japanese, indicates that "garden" is the direct object of the action
• 持っています (ou motteimasu) - verb meaning "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese, in the present continuous tense

理性を持って行動することが大切です。

Risei wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act rationally.

It is important to act with reason.

• 理性 (risē) - reason, rationality
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持って (motte) - Land, possess
• 行動 (kōdō) - action, behavior
• する (suru) - make
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

男は強い性格を持っています。

Otoko wa tsuyoi seikaku o motte imasu

Men have strong personalities.

The man has a strong personality.

• 男 - means "man" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "man."
• 強い - adjective that means "strong".
• 性格 - noun that means "personality".
• を - object particle that indicates that "personality" is the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb meaning "to have".

疑問を持つことは大切です。

Gimon wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have doubts.

It is important to have a question.

• 疑問 (gimon) - It means "doubt" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持つ (motsu) - verb that means "have" or "possess" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun in Japanese, which can be translated as "thing" or "fact"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective that means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement