Japanese Learning TIPS

The Difference Between 持つ (motsu) vs 持っている (motte iru)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

  • 13 Nov, 2025
  • Com 0
(Alt Text: Joy picking up a box [Motsu] vs. Joy owning a car [Motteiru])
(Joy picking up a box [Motsu] vs. Joy owning a car [Motteiru])

“I have a pen.” (Motteiru)
“I will hold your bag.” (Motsu)
In Japanese, 持つ (Motsu) is an instant action (to take/pick up). 持っている (Motteiru) is a continuous state (to own/be holding). Mixing them up is a very common mistake! Let’s master it with Joy and Ken.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy sees Ken carrying many heavy boxes.

Joy
ケンさん、荷物（にもつ）がたくさんありますね！
私（わたし）が半分（はんぶん） 持（も）ちます よ。
(Ken, you have so much luggage! I will “hold/carry” half for you.)
Ken
ありがとう！助（たす）かります。
実は、もう一つカバンを 持（も）っている んです…。
(Thanks! That helps. Actually, I “have” one more bag…)

💡 Explanation

Is it an “Action” you do now, or a “Status” you have?

Point 1: Motsu (持つ) = To take / To pick up

Type: Instant Action
This verb describes the specific moment you grab something with your hand. It focuses on the movement.

  • 荷物（にもつ）を 持ちます。
    (I will carry/pick up the luggage. [Future Action])
  • ペンを 持ってください。
    (Please pick up/hold a pen. [Instruction])

Point 2: Motteiru (持っている) = To have / To own

Type: Continuous State
This describes the state after you picked it up. You are still holding it, OR you own it (Possession).

  • （今）ペンを 持っています。
    (I am holding a pen right now.)
  • （家に）車（くるま）を 持っています。
    (I have/own a car. [Ownership])
  • お金（かね）を 持っていません。
    (I don’t have money.)

📊 Comparison Table

Word Meaning Type
持つ
(Motsu)		 To pick up, To carry
(Future/Will)		 🏃 Action
持っている
(Motteiru)		 To be holding, To own
(Current State)		 🏠 State / Possession

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Talking about her house)

❌ Wrong: 私は、広い家を 持ちます。
(This sounds like a future prediction: “I will lift up a big house” or “I will acquire a house in the future.”)

✅ Right: 私は、広い家を 持っています。
(To express “I have/own,” always use the -Te iru form.)

🔥 Practice Quiz

Tap to check the answer!

Q1. (At a store) Do you have a black pen?
(Kuroi pen o ______ ka?)
Answer: motte imasu (持っています)
Asking about possession/stock.
Q2. (Offering help) Shall I carry that?
(Sore, ______ ka?)
Answer: mochimashou (持ちましょう)
Offering to do an action (carry/hold).
Q3. He is rich. (He has money.)
(Kare wa okane o ______.)
Answer: motte imasu (持っています)
State of possession.
Keep practicing with JPLT!

 

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「持つ（もつ）」と「持っている（もっている）」の違い [日本語学習]