Thread: 持つ
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princessmarisa (Offline)
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Leeds, UK
04-12-2011, 06:47 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxful View Post
Hi, I have a question regarding "持つ".

ペンを持っています。
I have a pen.

But what if I would like to say "I am holding a parcel"? Should I say:

荷物をもつ。

or

荷物をもっています。

Think of the grammar 持つ is the dictionary form to hold/to have, っている・っています is the continued state of being of that verb so "having" is the closest in English.

However in English we don't say "I am having a pen" we say "I have a pen" so it causes confusion with the grammar/tense when translating I think.

荷物を持っています makes sense as in "I (currently) have some luggage"

The way I see it as 持つ can mean hold or possess I doesn't directly state if you are holding it or just have some (say on the floor) I'd like if someone else could clarify how this inflection is gained?

荷物を持つ is more talking about "to have luggage" so it would be used in more complicated sentences,theoretical/conditional grammar or perhaps future tense.


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