Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "持ちます", "押さえる", "抱える", "開催する", "抱く"
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
開催する
かいさいする (kaisai suru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
抱く
だく (daku)
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", "開催する", "抱く" 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.
- 開催する (かいさいする (kaisai suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold (an event), to organize, to host" and is used when Used for events, meetings, festivals, etc. It implies the act of arranging and making something happen..
- 抱く (だく (daku) - Level: N3): Maps to "to hold, to embrace, to hug" and is used when Often used for physically holding someone or something close, like a child or a pet. Can also mean to have feelings/thoughts.
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 "開催する"
来月、新しい展示会が開催されます。
A new exhibition will be held next month.
Context for "抱く"
子供を優しく抱いた。
He gently held the child.
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.".