5 Ways to Say "to Have" in Japanese
When learning Japanese, one of the most important verbs to master is “to have.” However, unlike English, Japanese has multiple ways to express possession or existence, and the correct usage depends on the context and the type of object being referred to. Here are five common ways to say “to have” in Japanese:
1.
The verb (aru) is used to indicate the existence or presence of something, usually an inanimate object or an animal. It is often translated to “to have” or “to exist.” For example:
- (Koko ni inu ga aru) - There is a dog here.
- (Watashi wa nemaki ga aru) - I have a favorite book.
[💡] Note: is not used to refer to people or body parts.
2.
The verb (iru) is used to indicate the existence or presence of something, usually a person or a pet. It is often translated to “to have” or “to be present.” For example:
- (Koko ni sensei ga iru) - There is a teacher here.
- (Watashi wa neko ga iru) - I have a cat.
3.
The verb (motsu) is used to indicate possession or ownership of something, usually a tangible object. It is often translated to “to have” or “to possess.” For example:
- (Watashi wa kuruma ga motsu) - I have a car.
- (Kare wa kanemochi ga motsu) - He has a lot of money.
4.
The verb (shoyū suru) is used to indicate ownership or possession of something, usually an intangible object such as a right or a quality. It is often translated to “to have” or “to possess.” For example:
- (Watashi wa kenri ga shoyū shite imasu) - I have the right to do so.
- (Kare wa kōdō-sei ga shoyū shite imasu) - He has the ability to lead.
5.
The verb (tsukau) is used to indicate the use or utilization of something, usually a tool or a resource. It is often translated to “to have” or “to use.” For example:
- (Watashi wa pasokon ga tsukau) - I have a computer.
- (Kare wa sakuban ga tsukau) - He has a pencil case.
In summary, the correct usage of “to have” in Japanese depends on the context and the type of object being referred to. Mastering these five verbs will help you to communicate more effectively in Japanese.
What is the difference between and?
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and are both used to indicate existence or presence, but is used for inanimate objects and animals, while is used for people and pets.
When do I use?
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is used to indicate ownership or possession of a tangible object, such as a car or a book.
What is the difference between and?
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and are both used to indicate possession or ownership, but is used for intangible objects such as rights or qualities, while is used for tangible objects.
Related Terms:
- you have in japanese
- i have in japanese hiragana
- Do you have in Japanese
- To be in Japanese
- Can I have in Japanese
- Japanese to English
