持っていた
motteita
The English phrase "I had" is translated into Japanese as 持っていた (motteita).
This is the past tense of having possession of something. It describes a continuous state of possession in the past.
What does it mean word for word?
It literally means "was holding/possessing".
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between 持っていた and 持った. While 持っていた describes the continuous state of having something (I had/was holding), 持った describes the completed action of acquiring or picking something up (I got/held).
How do you pronounce it?
motteita
Did you know?
- If you want to say you had a meal, you cannot use 持っていた because Japanese distinguishes between possessing an object and experiencing an event like eating.
- To express that you had a certain quality or characteristic in the past, Japanese speakers often use あった instead of 持っていた.
- The root verb 持つ can also mean to 'bear' or 'take charge of' a responsibility, so 持っていた can describe someone who previously managed a specific role.
Examples in context
- 私はその本を二冊持っていた。I had two copies of the book.This sentence shows how to use 持っていた to express possessing a specific quantity of an item.Tatoeba #159852 by bunbuku, translation #254670 by CK
- 私はそのドレスを買うのに十分なお金を持っていた。I had enough money to buy that dress.This sentence demonstrates using 持っていた to express having a sufficient amount of something like money.Tatoeba #160356 by bunbuku, translation #254165 by CK
- お昼にラーメンを 食べました 。I had ramen for lunch.
- 昔、古いカメラを持っていた。Mukashi, furui kamera o motte ita.I had an old camera a long time ago.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about old toys.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔は子供の時にゲームを持っていた？Hiroto wa kodomo no toki ni gēmu o motte ita?Did you have a game console when you were a child, Hiroto?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、昔はたくさん持っていたよ。Un, mukashi wa takusan motte ita yo.Yes, I had a lot of them back then.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいな。陽葵は持っていなかった。Ii na. Hiyori wa motte inakatta.That's nice. Hiyori didn't have any.
- 陽葵 Himari今度、僕のを見せてあげるね。Kondo, boku no o misete ageru ne.I'll show you mine next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
