Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "持ちます", "もつ", "持つ", "抱える", "かかえる"
All represent the core concept "hold", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
持ちます
もちます (mochimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
もつ
もつ (motsu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
持つ
もつ (motsu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
抱える
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
かかえる
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "hold" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "持ちます", "もつ", "持つ", "抱える", "かかえる" based on context.
- 持ちます (もちます (mochimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to hold, to carry, to possess" and is used when Polite form of 持つ.
- 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'.
- 持つ (もつ (motsu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to hold, to have" and is used when Can mean 'to hold' an object in hand or 'to possess/have' something.
- 抱える (かかえる (kakaeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold (in one's arms); to carry; to have (a problem/debt); to be burdened with" and is used when Can refer to physically holding/carrying 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..
Context for "持ちます"
鞄をしっかり持ちます。
I hold my bag firmly.
Context for "もつ"
カバンを持ちます。
I carry a bag.
Context for "持つ"
傘を持っていますか？
Do you have an umbrella?
Context for "抱える"
彼女はたくさんの書類を抱えてオフィスに戻った。その会社は大きな問題を抱えている。
She returned to the office carrying a lot of documents. That company is burdened with a big problem.
Context for "かかえる"
彼女はたくさんの荷物を抱えて電車に乗った。
She got on the train holding many bags.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to hold, to carry, to possess" in the context: "I hold my bag firmly.".