How to say "own" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 飼うかうgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'own' only for animals: keeping or having a pet. 'We own two cats' is said with this verb, which frames the animal as one you keep and raise.
- 有するゆうするsuru verb (irregular), transitive verbCovers 'own' chiefly in the sense of possessing qualities, abilities, or features — the 'be endowed with' use. For owning objects or animals it is seldom the word you want.
- 持つもつgodan verb, transitive verbThe general verb for having or possessing: it covers 'own' for a house, a car, land, and other property. When you simply mean that someone owns something, this is the usual choice.
- 自家じかprenominal modifierA noun for one's own home or family, it matches 'own' only as a modifier — 'one's own', 'personal' — and 'autologous' in medicine; it never renders the verb 'to own'.
Use 「持つ」 for owning things, 「飼う」 for keeping pets or animals, 「有する」 for possessing qualities or attributes, and 自家 for the modifier 'own' or 'personal' rather than the verb.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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