How to Say ‘Have; carry; hold’ in Japanese
持って
motsu te
[moht teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [持って] is the [て]-form of [持つ], “to hold” or “to have.” In [自信を持って], it means “have confidence.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often expresses abstract ideas physically: you “hold” confidence, just like you might hold a club. Handy image for memory.
Phrase Breakdown
持っ
motsu
[moht]
hold / have
From 持つ, meaning 'to hold' or 'to have'; here it means 'have' confidence.
自信を持っていけばいいよ。
It’s good if you go with confidence.
て
te
[teh]
and / te-form connector
The te-form ending used in instructions like 'have confidence.'
持っていけばナイスショットになるよ。
If you go in with it, it’ll be a nice shot.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager