持

Meaning

Hold, have, carry · tener, sostener

Readings

• On (音読み): ジ
• Kun (訓読み): も.つ

Example words

• 持つ（もつ）— to hold; to have
• 気持ち（きもち）— feeling
• 持って行く（もっていく）— to take (along)

Structure

Radical 手 written as 扌 here (て・てへん · Hand) · 9 strokes · school grade 3

Watch out

"Tengo un coche" → 車を持っています (ている form, as with 住む); 持ちます sounds like a future action. 持つ is for things you carry or own; for family and friends use いる (兄がいる). Compare 待: same 寺, hand radical (扌) vs step radical (彳).