Recognize 持 in words such as 持つ and 気持ち; connect each complete word with its reading and meaning.

The idea

Kanji can have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on). Compare 持つ (もつ) and 気持ち (きもち). 持 has 9 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram for their order.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
持つもつhold; carry
気持ちきもちfeeling; mood
持ち物もちものbelongings; things to bring

Examples

  • 傘かさを持もっていますか。Do you have an umbrella with you?
  • この荷物にもつを持もちます。I will carry this luggage.
  • 今いまの気持きもちを話はなしてください。Please tell me how you feel now.
  • いい気持きもちで目めが覚さめました。I woke up feeling good.
  • 明日あしたの持もち物ものを確認かくにんします。I check what I need to bring tomorrow.
  • 持もち物ものに名前なまえを書かいてください。Please write your name on your belongings.

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

Watch out

持つ (もつ) means hold; carry; 気持ち (きもち) means feeling; mood. Learn the reading with the whole word. 持っている can describe having or carrying something; the て-form of 持つ is 持って. Compare the indicated parts of 持 and 時: 扌 and 日.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 持つ in hiragana.

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    もつ

    持つ is read もつ and means hold; carry. Remember the reading of the whole word.

  2. Write the reading of 気持ち in hiragana.

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    きもち

    気持ち is read きもち and means feeling; mood. Remember the reading of the whole word.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿ち物（もちもの）.

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    持

    持 completes 持ち物, read もちもの; the completed word means belongings; things to bring.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 持 from memory, and read 持つ and 気持ち aloud. Check their readings and meanings.