持っている
motte iru
The phrase 'someone has something' is expressed in Japanese as 持っている (motte iru).
This phrase is used when a person owns or possesses an object. While it literally means 'to be holding', it is the standard way to express continuous possession of an object in Japanese.
Which one should you use?
Use 持っている when a person possesses something, but use ある to state that an object simply exists or is present in a location.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite, change the ending from 持っている to 持っています. The negative form of the phrase is formed by changing the -te iru ending to 持っていない, meaning 'does not have' or 'is not holding'.
How do you pronounce it?
motte iru
Did you know?
- The phrase can also mean 'to be lucky' or 'to have it in you' in a gambling or competitive context, suggesting that a person 'possesses' a winning streak.
- If you are talking about having a family member or a pet, you generally avoid 持っている and instead use いる, because the latter is reserved for living beings.
- In Japanese, if you say you 持っている a person, it implies you are physically carrying them or physically holding them in your arms.
Examples in context
- 真理子さんは素晴らしい才能を持っています。Mariko has a wonderful talent.
- あいつはお金を持ってるの？Does he have any money?
- このペンを持っていますか？Do you have this pen?
- 彼は新しいカメラを持っている。Kare wa atarashii kamera o motte iru.He has a new camera.
- 妹は可愛い猫を持っている。Imouto wa kawaii neko o motte iru.My younger sister has a cute cat.
- 田中さんは赤い傘を持っている。Tanaka-san wa akai kasa o motte iru.Mr. Tanaka has a red umbrella.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are looking for a pen in the classroom.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんはペンを持っている？Hiroto-kun wa pen o motte iru?Do you have a pen, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoいや、今は持っていないよ。Iya, ima wa motte inai yo.No, I don't have one right now.
- 結衣 Yui困ったなあ。誰か持っているかな。Komatta naa. Dareka motte iru kana.That's a problem. I wonder if someone has one.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに予備があるよ。Asoko ni yobi ga aru yo.There is a spare over there.
