Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "持ちます" vs "続ける"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
持ちます
もちます (mochimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
続ける
つづける (tsuzukeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 持ちます and 続ける are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
持ちます (もちます (mochimasu)) represents "to hold, to carry, to possess" (Level: N5) and typically represents Polite form of 持つ.
On the other hand, 続ける (つづける (tsuzukeru)) translates to "to continue (something)" (Level: N4) and is used for Transitive verb. To keep doing something, or to prolong an action.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "持ちます"
鞄をしっかり持ちます。
I hold my bag firmly.
Bilingual Sentence for "続ける"
日本語の勉強を続けます。
I will continue studying Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "鞄をしっかり ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I hold my bag firmly.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "持ちます" fits here because it represents "to hold, to carry, to possess" in the context: "I hold my bag firmly.".