Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
催す
もよおす (moyoosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
持ちこたえる
もちこたえる (mochikotaeru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 催す and 持ちこたえる.
In Japanese, 催す (もよおす (moyoosu)) is typically associated with "to hold (a meeting, event), to feel (a sensation, urge), to show signs of" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 会合などを開く、または、ある感情や生理現象が起こり始めることを表す他動詞です。/ A transitive verb meaning to hold a meeting or event, or for a certain emotion or physiological phenomenon to begin to occur..
On the other hand, 持ちこたえる (もちこたえる (mochikotaeru)) maps to "to hold out, to withstand" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "hold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "催す"
近所のホールでコンサートが催される予定だ。
A concert is scheduled to be held at the nearby hall.
Bilingual Context for "持ちこたえる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために持ちこたえる。
Every day, I hold out, to withstand to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "近所のホールでコンサートが催される予定だ。" (Meaning: "A concert is scheduled to be held at the nearby hall.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "催す" fits here because it means "to hold (a meeting, event), to feel (a sensation, urge), to show signs of" in the context of: "A concert is scheduled to be held at the nearby hall.". "持ちこたえる" represents "to hold out, to withstand".