Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "持ちます", "押さえる", "抱える", "押える", "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
押さえる
おさえる (osaeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
抱える
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
押える
おさえる (osaeru)
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", "押さえる", "抱える", "押える", "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.
- 押さえる (おさえる (osaeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold down, to restrain, to keep under control, to check" and is used when 動きを止めたり、位置を固定したり、感情を抑えたりする場合に使う。Used when stopping movement, fixing a position, or suppressing emotions..
- 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.
- 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..
Context for "持ちます"
鞄をしっかり持ちます。
I hold my bag firmly.
Context for "押さえる"
風で飛ばされないように帽子を両手で押さえた。
I held down my hat with both hands so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.
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 "押える"
風で飛ばされないように、帽子を手で押さえた。
I held my hat with my hand so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.
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.".