有する|ゆうするyuusuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. suru verb (irregular), transitive verbto have; to possess; to own; to be endowed with
    Great geniuses have the shortest biographies.
Conjugation
Dictionary form有する(ゆうする)
Polite (masu)有します(ゆうします)
Negative (nai)有しない(ゆうしない)
polite (masen)有しません(ゆうしません)
classical zu / nu有せず・有せぬ(ゆうせず・ゆうせぬ)
Past (ta)有した(ゆうした)
polite (mashita)有しました(ゆうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)有しなかった(ゆうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)有しませんでした(ゆうしませんでした)
Te form有して(ゆうして)
Potential有できる(ゆうできる)
Passive有される(ゆうされる)
Causative有させる(ゆうさせる)
Causative passive有させられる(ゆうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)有すれば(ゆうすれば)
tara有したら(ゆうしたら)
Volitional有しよう(ゆうしよう)
polite (mashou)有しましょう(ゆうしましょう)
Imperative有しろ(ゆうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym持つもつNeutralThe everyday, all-purpose word for holding or having. 「有する」 is formal written style, taking rights and qualities as well as land and assets.
  • Synonym保有ほゆうWrittenHolding and keeping something over time, as in shares or nuclear weapons. 「有する」 focuses on having a quality or a right.
  • Synonym所持しょじWrittenPhysically having something on your person, e.g. carrying contraband. 「有する」 is broader and also covers abstract possession.
  • Synonym所有しょゆうNeutralOwnership in the legal sense of owning property. 「有する」 stresses having a qualification or characteristic.
  • Synonym領有りょうゆうWrittenHolding territory, mainly of nations. 「有する」 is far broader.
  • Synonym所蔵しょぞうWrittenOwning a collection, as when a museum holds works. 「有する」 stresses being endowed with something.
  • Synonym占有せんゆうWrittenPossession or occupation, often legal. 「有する」 stresses being endowed with something.
  • Synonym享有きょうゆうWrittenEnjoying rights or freedoms, with a nuance of benefiting from them. 「有する」 is more neutral.
  • Related備えるそなえるNeutralTo equip or be equipped with, or to prepare for the future. 「有する」 simply stresses possession.
  • Related擁するようするWrittenTo possess or command, as in 「大軍を擁する」. 「有する」 is broader.
  • Related備わるそなわるNeutralIntransitive: talents or functions are built in or furnished. 「有する」 is transitive.
  • Related保持ほじNeutralTo keep or maintain something, as in holding a record. 「有する」 stresses possession.
  • Related抱えるかかえるNeutralTo hold in one's arms, or to be saddled with problems or employ staff. 「有する」 stresses being endowed with something.
  • Related帯びるおびるNeutralTo carry a certain tone, quality or mission. 「有する」 stresses possession.
  • Related領するりょうするWrittenWritten and rare: to own or to grasp. 「有する」 is the usual choice.
  • Related蔵するぞうするWrittenWritten: to harbor or contain something within. 「有する」 stresses possession.
  • AntonymなしNeutralAbsence or nonexistence — the opposite of having, as expressed by 「有する」.
  • Antonym欠くかくNeutralTo lack or be missing something — the opposite of 「有する」 in its sense of being endowed with.

Formal prose uses 「有する」 for rights, qualities and assets, as in 「権利を有する」; everyday speech uses 「持つ」. Use 「保有」 for holding shares or weapons, 「所持」 for carrying things on you, 「所有」 for legal ownership, 「領有」 for territory, 「所蔵」 for collections, 「享有」 for enjoying rights, 「備える」/「備わる」 for being equipped, 「擁する」 for commanding, 「保持」 for keeping a record, 「抱える」 for burdens, 「帯びる」 for a tone or mission, 「占有」 for legal possession. 「領する」 and 「蔵する」 are rare; prefer 「有する」. Opposites: 「無し」 for absence, 「欠く」 for lacking.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 持もつ。持もっている。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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