Readings: ジ (Onyomi), も.つ, も.ち (Kunyomi)
Meaning: to hold, to have, to possess, to keep
The kanji 持 combines the radical 手 (hand) on the left, which signifies actions related to the hand, and 寺 (temple) on the right. While 寺 typically means “temple,” in this context, it acts phonetically or suggests “holding up” or “supporting.” Thus, the kanji visually represents the action of holding something with one’s hand.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 持 has 9 strokes. It starts with the three strokes for the left-side radical 手 (hand), followed by the strokes for 寺 on the right side. The typical order is: 1. Horizontal stroke on top-left. 2. Vertical stroke piercing it. 3. Hook. 4. Horizontal stroke of 寺. 5. Vertical stroke. 6. Short horizontal. 7. Long horizontal. 8. Slanting left. 9. Slanting right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 手 (て) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ジ (Ji)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- もつ (Motsu)
- もち (Mochi)
Common Words Using 持
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 持続 | じぞく | continuation, duration |
| 支持 | しじ | support, backing |
| 所持 | しょじ | possession |
| 維持 | いじ | maintenance, preservation |
| 保持 | ほじ | retention, preservation |
| 持論 | じろん | one’s own theory/argument |
| 持病 | じびょう | chronic illness |
| 持参 | じさん | bringing something with oneself |
| 持久 | じきゅう | endurance, persistence |
| 支持率 | しじりつ | approval rating, support rate |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 持つ | もつ | to hold, to have |
| 持ち物 | もちもの | one’s belongings |
| 気持ち | きもち | feeling, sensation |
| 持ち帰る | もちかえる | to take home |
| 手持ち | てもち | on hand, in hand |
| 持ち上げる | もちあげる | to lift, to raise |
| 持ち運ぶ | もちはこぶ | to carry |
| 持ち家 | もちいえ | owned house |
| 持ち出す | もちだす | to take out, to bring out |
| 持ち合わせる | もちあわせる | to happen to have, to have on hand |
Example Sentences
Japanese: このかばんを持ってください。
Kana: このかばんをもってください。
Romaji: Kono kaban o motte kudasai.
English: Please hold this bag.
Japanese: 彼はたくさん本を持っています。
Kana: かれはたくさんほんをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa takusan hon o motte imasu.
English: He has many books.
Japanese: 彼の気持ちがよく分かります。
Kana: かれのきもちがよくわかります。
Romaji: Kare no kimochi ga yoku wakarimasu.
English: I understand his feelings well.
Japanese: これは私の持ち物です。
Kana: これはわたしのもちものです。
Romaji: Kore wa watashi no mochimono desu.
English: These are my belongings.
Japanese: 食べ物を持ち帰ってもいいですか。
Kana: たべものをもちかえってもいいですか。
Romaji: Tabemono o mochikaette mo ii desu ka?
English: Can I take the food home?
Japanese: 私たちは平和を持続させたい。
Kana: わたしたちはへいわをじぞくさせたい。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa heiwa o jizoku sasetaidesu.
English: We want to sustain peace.
Japanese: 国民は政府を支持しています。
Kana: こくみんはせいふをじじしています。
Romaji: Kokumin wa seifu o shiji shiteimasu.
English: The citizens support the government.
Japanese: 彼はいつも自分の持論を持っています。
Kana: かれはいつもじぶんのじろんをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa itsumo jibun no jiron o motteimasu.
English: He always has his own theory.
Japanese: この機械の維持費が高いです。
Kana: このきかいのいじひがたかいです。
Romaji: Kono kikai no ijihi ga takai desu.
English: The maintenance cost of this machine is high.
Japanese: 彼女は重要な書類を所持していた。
Kana: かのじょはじゅうようなしょるいをしょじしていた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa jūyōna shorui o shoji shiteita.
English: She possessed important documents.
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