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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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)

```

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:

権限を持つ者は責任がある。

Ken'gen wo motsu mono wa sekinin ga aru

Those who have authority have responsibility.

Person in authority is responsible.

• 権限 (けんげん) - authority, power
• を - object particle
• 持つ (もつ) - possess, have
• 者 (しゃ) - Person, individual
• は - Topic particle
• 責任 (せきにん) - responsibility
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have

麻痺した手で物を持つのは難しいです。

Mahi shita te de mono wo motsu no wa muzukashii desu

It is difficult to hold objects with a paralyzed hand.

It's hard to hold things with paralyzed hands.

• 麻痺した (as a verb) - paralyzed
• 手 - hand
• で - particle that indicates the means or tool used
• 物 - object
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 持つ - hold, carry
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - difficult
• です - verb to be in the polite form

高尚な文化を持つ国です。

Takashō na bunka o motsu kuni desu

It is a country with a noble culture.

• 高尚な - sophisticated, refined
• 文化 - culture
• を - direct object particle
• 持つ - possess, have
• 国 - country
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

羽を持つ鳥は自由に飛ぶことができる。

Hane wo motsu tori wa jiyuu ni tobu koto ga dekiru

A bird with wings can fly freely.

Birds with wings can fly freely.

• 羽を持つ鳥 - Feathered birds
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - Freely
• 飛ぶ - Fly
• ことができる - Able to do

標語は人々の心を動かす力を持つ。

Hyōgo wa hitobito no kokoro o ugokasu chikara o motsu

Slogans have the power to move people's hearts.

The slogan has the power to move people's hearts.

• 標語 - means "slogan" in Japanese.
• は - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, can be translated as "is".
• 人々 - means "people" in Japanese.
• の - a particle that indicates possession, can be translated as "of".
• 心 - means "heart" in Japanese.
• を - the particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, can be translated as "that".
• 動かす - means "to move" in Japanese.
• 力 - means "strength" in Japanese.
• を - the particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, can be translated as "that".
• 持つ - means "to have" in Japanese.
• . - period that indicates the end of the sentence.

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

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

四つ角は直角を持つ角です。

Yottsumi kado wa chokkaku o motsu kado desu

A square has right angles.

The four horns are a corner with a right angle.

• 四つ角 (yotsu kado) - It means "four corners" or "four angles".
• は (wa) - Grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "quatro cantos".
• 直角 (chokkaku) - It means "right angle".
• を (wo) - Direct object pronoun that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "right angle".
• 持つ (motsu) - Verb that means "to have" or "to possess".
• 角 (kado) - It means "angle".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form.

斑は美しい模様を持つ。

Madara wa utsukushii moyou wo motsu

Madara has a belo padrão.

The stitches have a beautiful pattern.

• 斑 - Japanese word meaning "stain"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful"
• 模様 - Japanese noun meaning "pattern" or "design"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 持つ - Japanese verb meaning "to have" or "to possess"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

本物の品質を持つ製品が欲しいです。

Honmono no hinshitsu wo motsu seihin ga hoshii desu

I want a product with real quality.

• 本物の品質を持つ - genuine quality
• 製品 - product
• 欲しい - wish
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)