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N4
JLPT N4 kanji

持: the kanji for hold and have

持 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means hold, have. Below are its readings, 12 common words and example sentences, all with audio.

hold, haveMeaning
On reading
もつKun reading
9Strokes

Stroke order

持 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Words by reading

持 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 12 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).

ジ (ji)

On reading.

WordMeaning
しじ · shijisupport
じさん · jisanbringing (with you)
いじ · ijimaintenance
じぞく · jizokucontinuation; sustainability
しょじ · shojipossession

もつ (motsu)

Kun reading.

WordMeaning
もつ · motsuto have; to hold
きもち · kimochifeeling
おかねもち · okanemochirich person
もちもの · mochimonobelongings
もちかえり · mochikaeritakeout
もっていく · motte ikuto take (something)
もってくる · motte kuruto bring (something)

Example sentences for work and daily life

Questions about 持

How many strokes does 持 have?

持 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 持?

The on readings are ji (ジ). The kun readings are motsu (もつ).

What will you hear at a Japanese fast-food counter?

Staff ask 店内でお召し上がりですか、お持ち帰りですか (tennai de o-meshiagari desu ka, o-mochikaeri desu ka), "For here or to go?" Answer 店内で (tennai de) for here or 持ち帰りで (mochikaeri de) to go.

What JLPT level is 持?

N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.

About the JLPT level

The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.

More JLPT N4 kanji

Movement and actions

See all 166 JLPT N4 kanji →

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