7 Methods To Say ‘To Have’ in Japanese

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Take into consideration how usually you say “have” in a day. Possibly you “have” homework to do after college, you “have” a buddy who’s going to check with you, and also you already “have” the textbook at dwelling. In English, you utilize the identical phrase for “have” in every case, however you’d really use three completely different verbs in Japanese to say the identical factor. To make your which means clear, it’s essential to have a strong understanding of the alternative ways to say “to have” in Japanese.

The way to say ‘I’ve’ in Japanese

The best way you speak about having one thing in Japanese differs relying on what it’s, precisely, that you’ve. You might have three fundamental choices to speak about possession:

• aru (ある): to exist (inanimate) (e.g., I have homework.)
• iru (いる): to exist (animate) (e.g., I have a buddy.)
• motsu (持つ): to hold (e.g., I have a textbook.)

In English, “have” generally is a helper (auxiliary) verb, which suggests you utilize it even if you’re not in possession of one thing. Simply attempt wanting up “have” within the dictionary and also you’ll see what number of methods English makes use of “have.” For instance, within the sentence “I’ve to go,” you don’t even have something. In Japanese grammar, this isn’t the case.

Charts of ‘to have’ Japanese conjugations

The three main methods to say “have” in Japanese all embrace the usage of verbs. To make use of them successfully, you’ll must know how you can conjugate them appropriately.

The way to conjugate aru

The verb aru actually means “to exist” for inanimate objects. Usually, you’ll see it both translated as “there’s” (when speaking about an object’s location) or “have” (when an individual has one thing). To conjugate the non-past varieties, all you’ll want to do is observe regular Japanese verb conjugation guidelines, with one exception: The plain damaging type is nai as an alternative of aranai.

You should use aru for “have” within the sense that you simply personal one thing or that one thing exists someplace.

• Motto chīsai sūtsu wa arimasu ka.（もっと小さいスーツはありますか。）= Do you have a smaller swimsuit? (Actually: Does a smaller swimsuit exist?)
  
  • Hai. Arimasu.（はい。あります。）= Sure. I have a smaller swimsuit. (Actually: Sure. It does exist.)
    
• Kono hyōshiki ni wa kotoba ga arimasen.（この標識には言葉がありません。）= This signal doesn’t have phrases on it. (Actually: Phrases don’t exist on this signal.)
  

Aru can also be used to speak about occasions and experiences you may need.

• Kyō wa renshū shimasu ka.（今日は練習しますか。）= Are you training as we speak?
  
  • Iie, kyō wa renshū shimasen. Sanji ni shiai ga arimasu.（いいえ、今日は練習しません。三時に試合があります。）= No, we aren’t training as we speak. We have a sport at 3:00. (Actually: A sport exists at 3:00.)
    

The previous tense of aru is simple and follows regular guidelines for godan (五段) Japanese verbs.

• Ii yume ga atta.（いい夢があった。）= I had a great dream. (Actually: dream existed.)

The way to conjugate iru

The verb iru is much like aru. It additionally means “to exist,” however it’s used for folks, animals, and different dwelling or animate issues. Not like aru, iru is an ichidan (一段) verb, which suggests its conjugation sample is barely completely different regardless of their practically equivalent meanings.

Iru is usually translated as “have” when speaking about folks. Extra particularly, it’s good for describing the composition of a household (which can also be an excellent alternative to apply Japanese counters).

• Watashitachi ni wa musuko ga futari imasu.（私たちには息子が二人います。）= We have two sons. (Actually: Two sons exist with us.)
  
• Watashitachi ni wa musume ga yonin imasu. （私たちには娘が四人います。）= We have 4 daughters. (Actually: 4 daughters exist with us.)
  

You most likely received’t use the previous tense type of iru as a lot to imply “had,” however it’s nonetheless helpful to know.

• Kare ni wa imōto ga hitori imashita.（彼には妹が一人いました。）= He had one youthful sister. (Actually: A youthful sister existed with him.)

The way to conjugate motsu

The verb motsu means “to hold” or “to own” and it stands other than aru and iru as a result of it’s a bit extra particular. Take into consideration the principle distinguishing issue being that the verb motsu is one other method to say “in possession of.” Objects you describe having with motsu also needs to be one thing you’ll be able to maintain. For instance, you’ll be able to maintain a cup of espresso in your hand (so you can use motsu), however you couldn’t maintain a celebration in your hand (so you must use aru as an alternative). 

It’s extra pure to make use of the current progressive (-ing) type of motsu, which is motteiru. That is to mirror the truth that you at the moment are in possession of it (aru and iru are particular and don’t use the current progressive type).

• Onna no ko tachi wa jitensha o motte imasu.（女の子たちは自転車を持っています。）= The ladies have bicycles. (Actually: The ladies are in possession of bicycles.)
  
• Onna no ko tachi wa jitensha o motte imasen.（女の子たちは自転車を持っていません。）= The ladies would not have bicycles. (Actually: The ladies aren’t in possession of bicycles.)
  

The identical guidelines apply for the Japanese previous tense type of motsu. Use the current progressive type (motteiru) and conjugate from there.

• Mae wa, watashi wa jitensha o motte imashita.（前は、私は自転車を持っていました。）= I used to have a bicycle. (Actually: I was in possession of a bicycle.)
  

Different methods to say ‘to have’ in Japanese

The Japanese verbs in some particular conditions translate to “have” in English, even when they’re not among the many three fundamental verbs above. Listed here are 4 conditions that don’t use aru, iru, or motsu the place you would possibly want to speak about one thing you might have or another person has.

To have an sickness

Sickness and ache can come up at any time, and chances are you’ll want to search out a health care provider or a pharmacy to get remedy. To elucidate that you’ve an sickness or situation, you should utilize the grammar sample “[body part] ga itai desu” to say “I’ve a [painful condition relating to body part].”

• Atama ga itai desu.（頭が痛いです。）= I have a headache. (Actually: My head hurts.)

For colds and transmissible ailments, you’ll normally use the previous tense of the verb kakaru (罹る, to contract a illness). For the frequent chilly particularly, you can even use the previous tense of the verb hiku (引く, to catch/pull).

• Infuruenza ni kakarimashita.（インフルエンザにかかりました。）= I have the flu. (Actually: I contracted the flu.)
• Kaze wo hikimashita.（風邪を引きました。）= I have a chilly. (Actually: I caught a chilly.)

To have pets

If you personal an animal, you’ll be able to say you “have” them through the use of the current progressive type of the verb kau (飼う, to personal an animal).

• Kanojo wa inu o katte imasu.（彼女は犬を飼っています。）= She has a canine.
  
• Kare wa neko o katte imasu.（彼​は​猫​を​飼って​います。）= He has a cat.
  

To have a great journey

How usually do you would like somebody properly? To inform somebody you would like for them to “have a great” day or journey, you’ll be able to attempt considered one of these phrases.

You might discover that these Japanese phrases all lack a verb and as an alternative finish with the item particle o (を). To shorten the expression, the verb is normally dropped (and implied), however the full expression would use the verb sugosu (過ごす, to spend time). The complete expression is often reserved for formal conditions, like wishing your boss a great weekend.

• Ii shūmatsu o sugoshite kudasai!（いい週末を過ごしてください！）= Have a great weekend! (Actually: Please spend time properly over the weekend.)

You can even change the Japanese adjective ii (good) with an adjective of your alternative if you wish to be extra artistic along with your properly needs.

• Tanoshii yasumi o!（楽しい休みを！）= Have a enjoyable trip!

To have bodily traits

Sometimes, you’d describe somebody’s bodily traits by saying “their [body part] is/are [adjective]” as in “Their eyes are blue.” This is kind of interchangeable with saying somebody “has” that bodily trait, and you’ve got two equally interchangeable choices in Japanese to say the identical factor.

• Watashi no kami wa chairo desu.（私の髪は茶色です。）= I have brown hair. (Actually: My hair is brown.)
  
• Watashi wa kami ga chairo desu.（私は髪が茶色です。）= I have brown hair. (Actually: It’s brown hair for me.)

Discover the distinction between the usage of Japanese particles (bolded) within the instance sentences. Within the first instance, the subject of the sentence is the individual’s hair (the subject particle wa follows kami, or “hair”), so it’s nearer to “My hair is brown.” Within the second sentence, the subject of the sentence is the individual (the subject particle wa follows watashi, or “I”), so it’s nearer to “I have brown hair.” The nuance between the 2 is extraordinarily minor.

Speed up your studying with Rosetta Stone

Shitsumon ga arimasu ka (質問がありますか)? Do you might have any questions? It is sensible for those who do! Studying how you can say “to have” in Japanese includes many extra verbs and expressions than English, however that additionally means Japanese has the capability to be extra particular. 

If you’d like extra apply with how you can use “have” in Japanese, attempt going via the Japanese classes within the Rosetta Stone App! You’ll see examples all through (with native audio) speaking about possession in addition to how the English auxiliary verb “have” interprets to Japanese when not speaking about possession. One of the simplest ways to be taught is thru immersion!