ある vs 持つ – How to say Have in Japanese

In English, you can say you have to mean a few different things. In Japanese, you have two verbs, ある, and 持もつ. Both of these verbs can be translated to have but mean something different. Let’s take a look.

What is the difference between ある and 持つ

Basically, ある refers to something that you possess and 持つ refer to something you hold. After you learn some Japanese these two verbs are not that difficult to distinguish. Let’s take a closer look

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

What does ある mean?

ある is a word that means most of the time that there is something, or that something exists.

テーブルの上うえにリンゴがある
There is an apple on the table

Also though ある can mean to have or to possess something.

ケビンは車くるまがある
Kevin has a car

What does 持つ mean?

持つ is our second verb. You would say 持つ when talking about physically holding, or carrying something.

かばんを持っている
I have a bag
I am holding a bag

Resources

• ある  – Webilo
• 持つ – Weblio