Japanese word

保有

Pronunciation

Romajihoyū

Meaning

  • nounpossession

Example

その会社は土地を保有しています。so no gai sha wa to chi o ho yū shi te i ma su

The company owns land.

Illustration for 保有 (possession)

More examples

個人情報の保有期間は、法律で定められています。ko jin jō hō no ho yū ki kan wa hō ritsu de sada me ra re te i ma su

The retention period for personal information is set by law.

Core concept

Describes having something as one's own, often with an emphasis on keeping it over time.

Common phrases

  • 株式の保有kabu shiki no ho yū

    share ownership

  • 土地の保有to chi no ho yū

    land ownership

  • 資産の保有shi san no ho yū

    asset holding

Similar words

所有shoyū: Having something as property and holding the rights connected with it.
所持shoji: Having something with one or carrying it on one's person.
保持hoji: Keeping something in the same state or keeping it from being lost.

Definition in Japanese

物・土地・権利などを自分のものとして持ち続けていること。mono to chi ken ri na do o ji bun no mo no to shi te mo chi tsuzu ke te i ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 保有 (hoyū) combines 保 (hō, "protect") and 有 (yū, "have"), giving the sense of keeping something in one's possession.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 保有 (hoyū) sounds formal and often refers to assets, rights, or abilities, while everyday speech more often uses 持つ (motsu).

Other meanings

  • holdingnoun
  • retentionnoun

Related words

  • 保有者hoyūshaholdernoun
  • 保有率hoyūritsuownership ratenoun

Word lists with this word