How to say "hold" in Japanese

• 持つもつJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for physically holding something in your hand — a bag, an umbrella, a phone — and it also covers taking and carrying things. This is the 'hold' of gripping an object.
  コートを持もちましょうか。↗

  Shall I carry your coat?
• 保つたもつJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'hold' in the sense of keeping or maintaining something — a state, condition, or position — rather than gripping an object, as in holding a record or keeping the peace.
  体面たいめんを保たもつために行いった。↗

  For appearances sake, I went.
• 催すもよおすJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'hold' in the event sense: to organize and give a party, dinner, or other event. It has nothing to do with the hands — the subject is the host putting the event on.
  彼かれは大々的だいだいてきにパーティーを催もよおした。↗

  He gave a party on a large scale.
• つまむJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor holding something between the fingers — pinching it, or picking it up with chopsticks or tweezers. The grip is a small, delicate one at the fingertips, not the whole hand.
  息いきを止とめて鼻はなをつまみなさい。↗

  Hold your breath and pinch your nostrils.
• 取るとるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbIt means to take, pick up, grab, or catch: taking hold of something, not holding it. As a translation of 'hold' it is marginal — use it when English means 'take' or 'grab'.
  お皿さらに取とったものは全部ぜんぶ食たべなさい。↗

  You'd better eat everything that's on your plate.

Use 「持つ」 for holding an object in your hand, 「保つ」 for keeping or maintaining something, 「催す」 for holding an event such as a party, 「つまむ」 for holding between the fingers, and 「取る」 for taking or grabbing rather than holding.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 持つもつto hold (in one's hand)
• 保つたもつto keep
• 催すもよおすto hold (an event)
• つまむto pinch
• 取るとるto take
• 含むふくむto contain
• つかむto seize
• 把握はあくgrasp (of the situation, meaning, etc.)
• 宿すやどすto house
• ホールドhold
• 引っ掛かりひっかかりhold
• 執り行うとりおこなうto hold (a ceremony)
• 抱き抱えるだきかかえるto hold
• 持するじするto hold
• 手にするてにするto hold (in one's hand)
• 把持はじgrasp
• ダンブル(ship's) hold
• 考えるかんがえるto think (that)
• 握るにぎるto hold (the answer)
• 抱くいだくto have (a thought or feeling)
• 営むいとなむto hold (a Buddhist or Shinto ceremony)
• 占めるしめるto occupy (a place, position, etc.)
• 手がかりてがかりhandhold
• 止めるとめるto prevent
• 殺すころすto suppress (a voice, feelings, etc.)
• つかみ所つかみどころhold
• 扼すやくすto grip
• 扼するやくするto grip
• 立てこもるたてこもるto barricade oneself (in a building)
• 押し殺すおしころすto suppress (a laugh, one's anger, etc.)
• やるto hold (a performance)
• かけるto hold (a play, festival, etc.)
• ひらくto hold (meeting, party, etc.)
• 引くひくto hold (e.g. a note)
• 押さえるおさえるto reserve (time, space, or availability)
• こもるto hold (a castle, fortress, etc.)
• 取り置くとりおくto hold
• 挙げるあげるto hold (an event, ceremony, etc.)
• 組み手くみてgrip