持つ can describe an action; 持っている can describe a continuing state.

The idea

持ちます is the polite non-past form: context can make it a future action or a habit. 持っています is 持つ in the ている form and describes holding something now or having it, as in 車を持っています.

Patterns to compare
FormExample
持もちます箱はこを持もちます
持もっています車くるまを持もっています
持もっていません免許めんきょを持もっていません

Examples

  • 私わたしがこの箱はこを持もちます。I will carry this box.
  • 出でかけるとき、傘かさを持もちます。I take an umbrella when I go out.
  • 今いま、手てに傘かさを持もっています。I am holding an umbrella in my hand now.
  • 私わたしは車くるまを持もっています。I own a car.
  • 兄あには運転免許うんてんめんきょを持もっていません。My older brother does not have a driver's license.
  • 明日あしたは重おもい荷物にもつを持もちます。Tomorrow I will carry heavy luggage.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not translate every 持っています as an action in progress: a car or license can be possessed without being held. 持ちます can also describe habitual carrying, not just a single future action.

Try it yourself

  1. Tomorrow I will carry this box. Choose the form.

    Show answer or example answer

    持ちます

    持ちます describes the planned act of carrying the box tomorrow.

  2. I own a car. Choose the form.

    Show answer or example answer

    持っています

    持っています expresses the continuing state of owning a car.

  3. My brother does not have a license. Choose the form.

    Show answer or example answer

    持っていません

    持っていません negates the state: the brother does not have a license.

Use it today

Describe something you will carry, something you own and a qualification you do not have.