Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
持ちます
もちます (mochimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
もつ
もつ (motsu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 持ちます and もつ.
In Japanese, 持ちます (もちます (mochimasu)) is typically associated with "to hold, to carry, to possess" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 持つ.
On the other hand, もつ (もつ (motsu)) maps to "to hold, to carry" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Refers to physically holding something in one's hand, or possessing an item. Can also mean 'to last'. A literal translation of "hold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "持ちます"
鞄をしっかり持ちます。
I hold my bag firmly.
Bilingual Context for "もつ"
カバンを持ちます。
I carry a bag.
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 means "to hold, to carry, to possess" in the context of: "I hold my bag firmly.". "もつ" represents "to hold, to carry".