Which one should you use?
Unlike English, the subject "you" is often omitted in Japanese when it is clear from the context who is being spoken to.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 何か持っています uses the ~masu ending, making it a polite way to state a fact that is suitable for speaking to strangers or acquaintances. In casual conversation with friends or family, the polite ending is dropped to form the informal 何か持ってる.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the ~te imasu construction to express a continuous state of possession rather than a momentary action of grasping. To turn the statement into a question such as "do you have something?", add the particle ka to the end to create 何か持っていますか. Additionally, when expressing that an item exists or is present, such as "There is a book," you can use the informal structure [Item] ga aru, as seen in Hon ga aru. To express possession specifically between a possessor and an item, the particle no is used between them.
How do you pronounce it?
nanika motte imasu
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, nanika motte imasu can be used to politely tell someone they have something on their face or clothing, like a piece of lint, without naming the object.
- While 持っています (motte imasu) describes possessing objects, Japanese uses entirely different verbs like います (imasu) to say you 'have' a person, such as a child or a sibling.
- The word motsu extends far beyond physical objects to abstract concepts. For example, you use sekinin o motsu to say you 'have a responsibility', treating the duty as something one carries.
Examples in context
- 何か持っていますか？Nanika motte imasu ka?Do you have something?
- 彼は何か持っています。Kare wa nanika motte imasu.He has something.
- 彼女は何か持っていますね。Kanojo wa nanika motte imasu ne.She has something, doesn't she?
Example conversation
Kenta asks Himari if she has a tool for the project.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、何か持っていますか。Himari-san, nanika motte imasu ka.Himari, do you have something?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、筆記用具を持っています。hai, hikkiyōgu o motte imasu.Yes, I have writing utensils.
- 健太 Kenta助かります。貸してください。tasukarimasu. kashite kudasai.That helps. Please lend it to me.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですよ。どうぞ。ii desu yo. dōzo.Sure. Here you go.
