How to use "Have" in Japanese

Free Japanese Quiz for Beginners

Does “have” always mean “motte imasu”? Not quite! In Japanese, we use different verbs for meals, health, and possessions. Check out the list below and practice with our audio guide.

to own or possess

すずきさんはくるまを もっています。
suzuki-san [wa] kuruma [o] motte-imasu.
( Ms.Suzuki has a car. )

わたしはきものを もっています。
nwatashi [wa] kimono [o] motte-imasu.
( I have a kimono. )

to have meal

ひるごはんを たべます。
hirugohan [o] tabe-masu.
( I have lunch. )

よるごはんを たべます。
yorugohan [o] tabe-masu.
( I have dinner. )

to have a cold

かぜを ひきました。
kaze [o] hiki-mashita.
( I had a cold. )

to have a headache

あたまが いたいです 。
atama [ga] itai-desu.
( I have a headache. )

おなかが いたいです。
onaka [ga] itai-desu.
( I have a stomachache. )

to have a party or a meeting

あしたパーティーが あります。
ashita ‘party’ [ga] ari-masu.
( I have a party tomorrow. )

おおさかでかいぎが ありました。
ōsaka [de] kaigi [ga] ari-mashita.
( We had a meeting in Osaka. )

to have a good time

たのしいです。
tanoshī-desu.
( I have a good time. )

りょこうは たのしかったです。
ryokō [wa] tanoshi-kattadesu.
( I had a good trip. )

to have a family member

わたしはあにが います。
watashi [wa] ani [ga] i-masu.
( I have an old brother. )

わたしはいもうとが います。
watashi [wa] imōto [ga] i-masu.
( I have a younger sister. )

わたしはむすめがふたり います。
watashi [wa] musume [ga] futari i-masu.
( I have 2 daughters. )

to have my hair cut

きのうかみを きりました。
kinō kami [o] kiri-mashita.
( I had my hair cut yesterday. )

to have homework or exam

しゅくだいが あります。
shukudai [ga] ari-masu.
( I have homework. )

らいしゅうテストが あります。
raishū tesuto [ga] ari-masu.
( I have an exam next week. )

to have plan

きんようびはよていが あります。
kinyōbi [wa] yotei [ga] ari-masu.
( I have a plan on Friday. )

I hope this lesson helps your Japanese journey! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. ▷

How to use “Have” in Japanese (もっています・たべます etc.)