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:

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

私たちは常に広い視野を持つ必要があります。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni hiroi shiya o motsu hitsuyō ga arimasu

We must always have a wide field of vision.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 広い - Wide
• 視野 - Vision/perspective
• を - Direct object particle
• 持つ - To/have
• 必要があります - Is required

私の夢は牧場を持つことです。

Watashi no yume wa bokujou wo motsu koto desu

My dream is to have a farm.

My dream is to have a ranch.

• 私の夢は - "Watashi no yume wa" means "My dream is"
• 牧場を - "Bokujou wo" means "a farm"
• 持つこと - "Motsu koto" means "to have"
• です - "Desu" is a particle that indicates a formal statement

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)

鉄砲を持っている人は危険です。

Tepou wo motte iru hito wa kiken desu

The person who has a firearm is dangerous.

Those who have weapons are dangerous.

• 鉄砲 - Firearm
• を - direct object particle
• 持っている - verb "to have" conjugated in the present continuous
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 危険 - dangerous
• です - verb "to be" conjugated in the formal present

言葉は力を持っている。

Kotoba wa chikara wo motte iru

The words have power.

The words have power.

• 言葉 (kotoba) - word
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 力 (chikara) - strength, power
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っている (motteiru) - Land, possess

女史はとても優雅な雰囲気を持っています。

Joshi wa totemo yūga na fun'iki o motte imasu

The lady has a very elegant atmosphere.

Mrs. has a very elegant atmosphere.

• 女史 - indicates a respectable woman, usually used in formal contexts.
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "女史".
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 優雅な - adjective that means "elegant" or "refined".
• 雰囲気 - noun that means "atmosphere" or "environment".
• を - object particle, indicates that "雰囲気" is the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb that means "to have" or "to possess", in the affirmative present tense.

運転免許を持っていますか？

Unten menkyo wo motteimasu ka?

Do you have a driver's license?

• 運転免許 - Driving license
• を - Direct object particle
• 持っています - TO HAVE
• か - interrogative particle

針を持っています。

Hari o motte imasu

I'm holding a needle.

I have a needle.

• 針 - needle
• を - object particle
• 持っています - to have, to hold

鉱山は豊かな地下資源を持っています。

Kōzan wa yutaka na chikashigen'yō o motte imasu

Mines have abundant underground resumes.

The mine has rich underground resources.

• 鉱山 - everyone
• は - Topic particle
• 豊かな - rich
• 地下 - subterranean
• 資源 - resources
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - have