How to say "possession" in Japanese

• 所有しょゆうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe usual word for possession as ownership: having something such as property, land, or assets as one's own, in both legal and everyday contexts.
  この土地とちは池田いけだ氏しの所有しょゆうだ。↗

  This land belongs to Mr Ikeda.
• 獲得かくとくJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveReally means acquisition — the act of gaining or obtaining something — rather than the state of possessing it, so it is seldom the word you want for 'possession' itself.
  その子供達こどもたち２人ふたりが賞しょうを獲得かくとくした。↗

  Both of the children won a prize.
• 保有ほゆうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPossession in the sense of holding or retaining something, especially assets or resources; it stresses continuing to hold what one has, and is typical of business and official contexts.
  その会社かいしゃはアメリカ資本しほんが５１％保有ほゆうしている。↗

  The company is 51% owned by American capital.
• 所持しょじJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPossession in the sense of having something on one's person or carrying it with you; typical of police and legal contexts, where it refers to items found on someone.
  海外かいがいへ行いくのならパスポートの所持しょじが必要ひつようです。↗

  If you are going abroad, it's necessary to have a passport.
• 占有せんゆうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPossession as actual occupancy or control — holding or occupying something rather than owning it; it can also carry a nuance of taking exclusive hold of a thing.
  現実げんじつの占有せんゆうは九きゅう分ふんの勝ち目かちめ。↗

  Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Choose 所有 for ownership of property, 所持 for things carried on one's person, 保有 for holding or retaining assets, 占有 for occupancy or actual control, and 獲得 only for the act of acquiring, not the state of possessing.

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

• 所有しょゆうpossession
• 獲得かくとくacquisition
• 保有ほゆうpossession
• 所持しょじpossession
• 占有せんゆうpossession
• 領有りょうゆうpossession (esp. of a territory)
• 領土りょうどterritory
• 帰属きぞくbelonging
• 領分りょうぶんterritory
• 蔵ぞうpossession
• 憑依ひょういpossession (by a spirit, demon, etc.)
• 享有きょうゆうpossession (of a right, talent, etc.)
• 属領ぞくりょうpossession
• ポゼッションpossession (of the ball)
• 具有ぐゆうpreparedness
• 所有物しょゆうぶつproperty
• 支配率しはいりつpossession rate
• 所蔵しょぞう(in one's) possession
• 有ゆうpossession
• 占領せんりょうmilitary occupation