持
hold, have
Readings
On'yomi
- ジ
Kun'yomi
- も.つ
- -も.ち
- も.てる
Nanori
- もち
- もつ
Meaning
持 centers on keeping something in hand or in one's possession: physically holding an object, or having and maintaining something over time.
Most common words using 持
24 of 404- 持つもつN5
to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
- 気持ちきもちN4
feeling; sensation; mood; state of mind
- 維持いじN2
maintenance; preservation; improvement
- 支持しじN2
support; backing; endorsement; approval
- 持ちもちN1
having; holding; possessing; owning; using; holder; owner; user
- 金持ちかねもちN4
rich person; wealthy person
- 所持しょじN1
possession; having (on one's person); carrying (with one)
- 保持ほじ
retention; maintenance; preservation
- 持ち主もちぬしN2
owner; proprietor; possessor (e.g. of talent, beauty, etc.)
- 持てるもてるN2
to be able to possess (hold, get, etc.)
- 持続じぞくN1
continuation; persisting; lasting; sustaining; enduring
- 手持ちてもち
in hand; on hand; on one; in stock; in store
- 持ち帰りもちかえり
takeout (food); take-out; takeaway; carry-out; to-go
- 持ち出しもちだし
taking something out; carrying out
- 持参じさんN2
bringing; taking; carrying
- 持ち込みもちこみ
bring-your-own (e.g. food and drink); carry-on (e.g. luggage)
- 持ち込むもちこむN2
to bring in; to take in; to carry in
- 持ち物もちものN3
things one is carrying; things one has on one's person
- 持ち出すもちだすN2
to take out; to carry out; to bring out from where it belongs
- 長持ちながもちN2
long-lasting; long-wearing; wears well
- 持ち上げるもちあげるN3
to elevate; to raise; to lift up
- 持病じびょうN1
chronic disease; chronic illness; old complaint
- 持論じろん
one's cherished opinion; pet theory
- 持ち帰るもちかえる
to take home; to carry home; to bring back home; to take out (e.g. food)
Study
Etymology
持 combines 扌 (hand) with 寺, which likely contributes the sound and originally depicted a place where things are kept or maintained, together giving the idea of holding or having in hand.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 寺 suggests a hand holding onto something at a temple: imagine a monk carefully holding a sacred object.
Reading mnemonic
For ジ, picture a genie holding a lamp: genie -> ジ, and the hand is holding the lamp tightly.