Translation guide
The English word "holding" can refer to physically grasping something, owning assets, containing something, or maintaining a state. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To have something in your hand or arms, or to keep it from moving.
General verb for holding or carrying something in your hand.
He is holding a bag.
To grip or hold tightly in your hand, often with fingers closed around the object.
彼女はハンドルをしっかり握った。
She held the steering wheel firmly.
To hold something large or heavy in your arms, often against your body.
彼は大きな箱を抱えていた。
He was holding a big box.
To grab or hold onto something, often with a sense of seizing or catching.
子供は私の手を掴んだ。
The child held my hand.
To have ownership of something, especially financial assets or land.
Formal term for holding or possessing assets, shares, or property.
当社はその会社の株式を保有している。
Our company is holding shares of that company.
Common verb for having or owning something, including assets.
彼は多くの不動産を持っている。
He is holding a lot of real estate.
To own or possess, often used for property or large assets.
彼女は広大な土地を所有している。
She is holding vast land.
To have the capacity to contain something, or to be able to hold a certain amount.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to fit' or 'to be held'. Use with potential form or quantity.
この部屋には50人入る。
This room can hold 50 people.
To accommodate or hold people or things, often used for facilities.
このスタジアムは8万人を収容できる。
This stadium can hold 80,000 people.
To hold or maintain a certain capacity, often technical.
このタンクは1000リットルの水を保持できる。
This tank can hold 1000 liters of water.
To keep something in a particular state, such as a record, a title, or a posture.
To maintain or keep a state, condition, or position.
彼は世界記録を保っている。
He is holding the world record.
To sustain or uphold something, often used for systems or standards.
彼らは高い品質を維持している。
They are holding high quality.
To leave something as it is, to hold it in its current state.
ドアはそのままにしておいてください。
Please hold the door open.
To organize or conduct an event, meeting, or ceremony.
To hold or host an event, meeting, or conference.
会議は来週開催されます。
The meeting will be held next week.
To carry out or conduct an event; less formal than 開催する.
彼らは毎年フェスティバルを行っている。
They hold a festival every year.
To hold or open an event, often used for parties or informal gatherings.
To wait on the phone or keep a connection open.
Polite phrase meaning 'please hold' or 'please wait', used on the phone.
少々お待ちください。
Please hold for a moment.
More explicit 'please hold the line'.
電話を切らずにそのままでお待ちください。
Please hold the line without hanging up.
Do not use 持つ (もつ) for holding events. Use 開催する (かいさいする) or 行う (おこなう) instead.
会議を持つ
to hold a meeting (unnatural)
持つ (もつ) is general 'have/hold', while 保有する (ほゆうする) is formal and specifically used for holding assets or shares in business contexts.
彼はペンを持っている。
He is holding a pen.
そのボトルは500ミリリットル入る。
The bottle holds 500ml.
そのままお待ちください。
Please hold the line.
I held a party for my friend.