Translation guide
The English phrase "hold on to" has several distinct meanings, from physically grasping something to keeping something safe or maintaining a belief. This guide breaks down the most common uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To keep holding something tightly, often to avoid falling or losing it.
Used when holding onto something for support, like a handrail or a person.
Please hold on to the strap on the bus.
Literally 'hold firmly', used when you want to emphasize a tight grip on an object.
Hold on to that bag tightly.
To grip or grasp something in one's hand. Often used for holding onto small objects.
To continue to have something, especially when it might be taken away or lost.
Literally 'not let go from one's hands', used for both physical objects and abstract things like memories.
To continue to have a particular attitude or emotion, especially in difficult circumstances.
To safeguard or not lose something valuable.
To hold something carefully, implying it is precious.
Used in imperative form to ask someone to wait for a short time.
The most common casual way to say 'hold on' or 'wait a moment'.
When 'hold on to' means to maintain a belief or feeling, do not use physical holding verbs like 掴む (つかむ). Instead, use 持ち続ける or 抱き続ける.
掴まる (つかまる) is intransitive and means to hold onto something for support (e.g., a strap). 握る (にぎる) is transitive and means to grip something actively in your hand.
Hold on to your hat, it's windy.
She held on to my hand.
He never let go of that old letter.
Formal term for 'retain' or 'keep', often used in legal or business contexts.
The company needs to hold on to important data.
To keep something for future use, often with the nuance of setting it aside.
Please hold on to this receipt.
Literally 'continue to hold', used for abstract things like hope, dreams, or feelings.
She held on to hope.
Similar to 持ち続ける but often used for emotions or dreams that one embraces.
He held on to his dream.
Hold on to this photo carefully.
To store or keep in a safe place, often used for documents or valuables.
Please hold on to your passport in a safe place.
Hold on, I'm coming now.
Polite form used in customer service or formal situations.
Please hold on. I'll connect you to the person in charge.
I'll hold on to this memory forever.