Usage Explanation ①: 持つ (motsu) – The “Action”

持つ (motsu) is a verb that means the **action** of “to pick up,” “to take,” or “to hold.” It is the instant you take something in your hand.

We use this dictionary form (or its -masu form, 持ちます) when talking about a *future action* or a *habit* (though this is less common for this verb).

Example 1: (Future Action)

私（わたし）が、そのかばんを持ちます。(Watashi ga, sono kaban o mochimasu.)

I will carry that bag. (I will do the action of holding it.)

Example 2: (Command/Action)

これを持ってください。(Kore o motte kudasai.)

Please hold this. (Please do the action of taking this.)

Example 3: (Habit/Potential)

彼（かれ）は、自分（じぶん）でかばんを持てます。(Kare wa, jibun de kaban o motemasu.)

He can carry his own bag. (He has the ability to do the action.)

Usage Explanation ②: 持っている (motte iru) – The “State”

持っている (motte iru) is the -te iru form of 持つ. This form is very special. It describes the **state** that continues *after* the action is finished.

This has two main meanings: “to have” (possession) and “to be holding” (continuous state).

1. “To Have” (Possession / sở hữu)

This is the correct way to say “I have” or “I own” something. The action of “taking” (持つ) is finished, and now you are in the *state* of “having” (持っている).

Example 1:

私（わたし）は、車（くるま）を持っています。(Watashi wa, kuruma o motte imasu.)

I have a car. (I am in the state of owning a car.)

Example 2:

あなたは、ペンを持っていますか？(Anata wa, pen o motte imasu ka?)

Do you have a pen?

2. “To Be Holding” (Continuous State)

This also describes the continuous action or state of “holding” something right now.

Example 1:

（今（いま））私（わたし）は、かばんを持っています。(Ima, watashi wa, kaban o motte imasu.)

I am holding a bag (right now).

Example 2:

彼（かれ）は、何（なに）を持っていますか？(Kare wa, nani o motte imasu ka?)

What is he holding?

Comparison: 持つ (motsu) vs 持っている (motte iru)

Let’s compare them side-by-side.

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Asking “Do you have…?”

Wrong:

（店（みせ）で）「すみません、XXを持ちますか？」(Sumimasen, XX o mochimasu ka?)

Correct:

「すみません、XXはありますか？」(Sumimasen, XX wa arimasu ka?)

Better (for a person):

「XXを持っていますか？」(XX o motte imasu ka?)

Why?

The “wrong” sentence sounds like “Will you pick up XX?” To ask a store, you should use ありますか (arimasu ka). To ask a person, you must use 持っていますか (motte imasu ka) to ask about their state of possession.

Mistake 2: Stating “I have a car.”

Wrong:

私（わたし）は、車（くるま）を持ちます。(Watashi wa, kuruma o mochimasu.)

Correct:

私（わたし）は、車（くるま）を持っています。(Watashi wa, kuruma o motte imasu.)

Why?

The “wrong” sentence means “I will pick up the car” or “I will start to have a car (in the future).” To describe your current state of “owning” a car, you must use the -te iru form.

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct word for ( ).

Q1.

（友達（ともだち）が重（おも）そうなかばんを持（も）っている）「私（わたし）が、半分（はんぶん） ( ) よ。」

(Your friend has a heavy-looking bag) “I ( ) half for you.”

1. 持ちます (mochimasu)
2. 持っています (motte imasu)

Q2.

A「日本（にほん）の運転（うんてん）免許（めんきょ）を ( ) か？」
B「はい、( ) 。」

A: “Do you ( ) a Japanese driver’s license?”
B: “Yes, I ( ).”

1. 持ちます (mochimasu)
2. 持っています (motte imasu)

Q3.

あの人（ひと）は、手（て）に何（なに）を ( ) か？

What is that person ( ) in their hand?

1. 持ちます (mochimasu)
2. 持っています (motte imasu)

Summary: Key Differences

This is a very important rule for N5 and N4 learners.

• 持つ (motsu): The **ACTION** (to pick up, to take, to carry). Use it for future actions (“I will carry…”).
• 持っている (motte iru): The **STATE** (to have, to possess, to be holding). Use this to say “I have a car” or “I am holding a pen.”

In simple terms: To say “I have,” always use 持っている (motte imasu)!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I say “I have a pen” in Japanese?

A1: The most natural way is: 私はペンを持っています。(Watashi wa pen o motte imasu.) Using 持っている (motte iru) shows the *state* of possessing the pen. Using 持ちます (mochimasu) sounds unnatural, like you are talking about the *action* of picking it up in the future.

Q2: What is the difference between “having” a car and “holding” a bag?

A2: In Japanese, both use 持っている (motte iru)! The context tells you the meaning.

• 車を持っています (Kuruma o motte imasu) = I *have* a car. (Possession)
• かばんを持っています (Kaban o motte imasu) = I am *holding* a bag. (Continuous Action/State)

Japanese uses the same grammar for both “possession” and “holding.”

Q3: Is this -te iru form for “state” common?

A3: Yes, it is very common and important. It’s used for many other verbs, not just “have.” For example:

• 知る (shiru) (to get to know) → 知っている (shitte iru) (to know)
• 住む (sumu) (to start to live) → 住んでいる (sunde iru) (to live in)
• 結婚する (kekkon suru) (to get married) → 結婚している (kekkon shite iru) (to be married)

Related Articles

• The Difference Between 「分かる (wakaru)」 and 「知っている (shitte iru)」
• How to Use the -te iru (ている) Form (State vs. Action)