持つ vs 抱える
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 持つ
Listen to 抱える
| 持つ | 抱える |
|---|---|
MO-tsu verb (godan) | かかえる (kakaeru) verb (godan) |
| to hold; to have; to possess; to carry | to hold or carry (often figuratively); to be burdened with |
How they differ
抱える implies carrying a burden or responsibility (physical or abstract) and often conveys difficulty or ongoing strain; 持つ is neutral and does not imply burden. 抱える is not typically used for neutral ownership or simple possession.
When to use each
When to use 持つ: Prefer 持つ when you mean to state simple possession, physical holding, or to describe having a trait or feeling without implying burden.
When to use 抱える: Prefer 抱える when you want to emphasize that someone is burdened with problems, responsibilities, debts, or heavy tasks.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼はたくさんの問題を持っている。
(He has many problems.) - 彼はたくさんの問題を抱えている。
(He is burdened with many problems / He is dealing with many problems.)
Register & nuance: 抱える is neutral to slightly formal and often used in spoken and written Japanese to convey burden or responsibility; 持つ is more general and neutral.