Synonym Boundary: "もつ", "遠慮する", "押える", "かかえる"

When expressing "hold" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "もつ", "遠慮する", "押える", "かかえる" based on context.

• もつ (もつ (motsu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to hold, to carry" and is used when Transitive verb. Refers to physically holding something in one's hand, or possessing an item. Can also mean 'to last'.
• 遠慮する (えんりょする (enryo suru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to hold back, to refrain from, to be reserved, to decline" and is used when To hesitate or hold back due to modesty, consideration for others, or politeness. Can mean to gently decline an offer or to be reserved. Often used in phrases like「遠慮なくどうぞ」.
• 押える (おさえる (osaeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold down, to suppress, to catch (e.g., a criminal), to restrain" and is used when Has various meanings depending on context, from physically holding something down to suppressing emotions or catching something..
• かかえる (かかえる (kakaeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold in one's arms, to embrace, to have (a problem/debt)" and is used when Has two main meanings: physically holding something heavy or bulky in one's arms, or figuratively having a problem/burden/debt..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!