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:

障害を乗り越える力を持っています。

Shougai wo norikoeru chikara wo motteimasu

I have the power to overcome the disability.

• 障害 (shougai) - Obstacle, impediment
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 乗り越える (norikoeru) - Overcome, conquer
• 力 (chikara) - strength, power
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - possess, have

雨天の日は傘を持って出かけるのが大切です。

Amten no hi wa kasa wo motte dekakeru no ga taisetsu desu

Em dias chuvosos

It is important to go out with an umbrella on rainy days.

• 雨天の日 - rainy day
• は - Topic particle
• 傘を持って - holding an umbrella
• 出かける - go out
• のが - nominal particle
• 大切です - is important

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

カルテを持っていますか？

karute wo motteimasu ka?

Do you have your medical record?

Do you have a medical record?

• カルテ - medical record
• を - object particle
• 持っていますか - you have?
• ？ - Question Mark

危機感を持って行動することが大切です。

Kikikan wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with a sense of crisis.

• 危機感 - feeling of crisis or danger
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - verb 持つ (to have, hold) in the gerund
• 行動 - action, behavior
• する - verb する (to do) in the infinitive
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb です (to be, to be) in the present tense

砕く力を持っている。

Tsunaku chikara wo motteiru

I have the power to break.

It has the power to break.

• 砕く - Verb that means "break", "smash" or "crush".
• 力 - noun that means "strength" or "power".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っている - Compound verb that means "to have" or "to possess".

連合は強い力を持っています。

Rengō wa tsuyoi chikara o motte imasu

Unity has great power.

The Union has a strong power.

• 連合 (rengou) - means "union" or "coalition"
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "連合"
• 強い (tsuyoi) - adjective meaning "strong"
• 力 (chikara) - noun that means "strength" or "power"
• を (wo) - object particle, indicates that "力" is the direct object of the sentence
• 持っています (motteimasu) - verb meaning "to have" or "to possess", in the present continuous

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

缶を持ってきてください。

Kan wo motte kite kudasai

Please bring a can.

Please bring a can.

• 缶 (kan) - tin
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持ってきて (motte kite) - bring
• ください (kudasai) - Please

竿を持って川に行きました。

Sao wo motte kawa ni ikimashita

I went to the river with a fishing rod.

I went to the river with a stick.

• 竿 (さお) - fishing rod
• を - direct object particle
• 持って (もって) - loading
• 川 (かわ) - river
• に - Location particle
• 行きました (いきました) - was