持ちます（もちます、mochimasu）
- to hold

The Japanese verb 持ちます 持ちます (mochimasu) primarily means "to hold," "to carry," "to possess," or "to have." It describes the action of physically holding something, possessing something (like an object, feeling, or idea), or being responsible for something. The specific meaning depends on the context of the sentence. It's a versatile verb with several nuanced meanings.

⚫︎このカバンを 持ちます Translation: I'll hold this bag. ⚫︎ペンを 持ちます Translation: I have a pen. / I'm holding a pen. ⚫︎責任を 持ちます Translation: I take responsibility. / I bear responsibility.

持ちます 持ちます is used in various situations: ⚫︎ When physically holding something. For instance, holding a book, a bag, or a baby. ⚫︎ When possessing something. This could be owning a car, having a skill, or having a certain quality. ⚫︎ When taking responsibility or being in charge of something. ⚫︎ In terms of experiencing emotions (though more commonly, other verbs are used). Its use depends on the situation and what is being 持っている (mot-teiru – the -te form, indicating a state). It is typically used with the object being held, possessed, or the thing for which one takes responsibility, marked by the particle を (o).

The verb 持ちます 持ちます is written in hiragana as もちます. The kanji form is 持ちます. The kanji is combined with the okurigana ます to create the full verb. There aren't many variations in okurigana for this verb in standard usage.

⚫︎持つ (motsu): This is the plain form of 持ちます 持つ, which can be translated as “to hold”, “to have”, “to possess”. ⚫︎所有する (shoyu suru): To own or possess something. It is more formal. ⚫︎抱える (kakaeru): To hold or carry something (often heavy or something of responsibility). ⚫︎持つ 持つ is the most commonly used synonym, especially in casual conversation.

There isn't a single direct antonym for all meanings of 持ちます 持ちます, as it has multiple meanings. However, here are some examples: ⚫︎ For "to hold" or "to carry": 置く (oku) - to put down, to place. ⚫︎ For "to possess" or "to have": 失くす (nakusu) - to lose. ⚫︎ For "to take responsibility": 放棄する (houki suru) - to abandon, to relinquish.

私は重い荷物を 持ちます ・Translation: I will carry the heavy luggage. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 持ちます to describe the action of physically holding and carrying something.

彼は大きな夢を 持っています ・Translation: He has a big dream. ・Explanation: This sentence uses the -te form, 持っています, of 持ちます to express possession of a dream or aspiration.

The verb 持つ (motsu) is a native Japanese word, dating back to ancient Japanese. The kanji 持 (mo) itself means "to hold" or "to possess." The word's origins are deeply rooted in the concept of physical holding and have evolved over time to encompass broader meanings of possession, responsibility, and even feelings.