Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "hold out" has several distinct meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use: physically extending something, enduring in a difficult situation, offering hope, and other less common senses.
Hold out your hand.
We can't hold out much longer.
To stretch out your hand or arm to give, show, or offer something to someone.
The most direct and common way to say 'hold out' when offering something with your hand. It implies extending your hand to give or show something.
He held out his hand to me.
Literally 'extend one's hand'. Used when reaching out to take something or to touch, rather than offering. Can also mean to expand one's reach.
To hold something up high, like a sign or a flag. Not for handing something over.
To continue to resist or survive despite hardship, often until something changes or help arrives.
To say that there is a chance of something good happening, often used in the phrase 'hold out hope'.
Literally 'continue to hold hope'. The most natural way to express 'hold out hope' in Japanese.
To resist demands or pressure, often in negotiations, by not agreeing to something.
To not concede or give in. Commonly used when someone refuses to compromise.
To refuse to give information, money, or something expected.
The soldiers held out for three days.
She held out some candy.
彼は本を取ろうと手を伸ばした。
He held out his hand to grab the book.
彼は旗を掲げた。
He held out the flag.
To hold out, endure, or withstand. Often used for physical endurance, like holding a position or surviving a crisis.
They held out until reinforcements arrived.
We can hold out for a week with this food.
To endure, bear, or withstand something unpleasant. More general than 持ちこたえる and often used for abstract or emotional endurance.
He held out against the pain.
To persist, do one's best, or hang in there. Very common in everyday speech for encouraging someone to keep going.
Hold out a little longer!
To be tenacious, stick to something, or not give up. Often used in negotiations or competitions.
He held out until the very end.
They are still holding out hope.
To not give up hope. A slightly more emphatic way of saying you are still hoping.
He held out hope.
He held out in the salary negotiations.
To flatly refuse or reject. Stronger than 譲らない, often implies a blunt refusal.
He held out against the demands.
To be stingy or reluctant to give something, like information or money. Fits when someone is holding out on you.
He's holding out on the information.
To hide or conceal. More general, but can be used when someone is holding out by not revealing something.
He's holding out the truth.
hold out one's hand to reach a book
Avoid directly translating 'hold out hope' as 希望を差し出す, which sounds like you are physically handing over hope. Use 希望を持ち続ける or 望みを捨てない instead.
She held out her hand to shake mine.