持有

• Pinyin: chí yǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 持 = 扌(hand) + 寺 (temple), to hold; 有 = 又 (hand) + 月 (moon/meat), to have

Meaning

To hold; to possess; to own. To have in one's possession, especially documents, assets, or positions.

A formal term for possessing or holding something, particularly used for legal documents (licenses, passports), financial assets (stocks, bonds), or abstract things (opinions, positions). More formal than 有 (to have).

Examples

1. 他持有这家公司百分之三十的股份。 He holds thirty percent of the shares in this company.
2. 持有有效签证的旅客可以在此国停留九十天。 Travelers holding valid visas can stay in this country for ninety days.
3. 我们对这个问题持有不同的看法。 We hold different views on this issue.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, finance, official

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请出示您持有的证件。(Please show your identification documents.)
• 他持有乐观态度。(He holds an optimistic attitude.)

Don't Say

• 日常说'有'就行，'持有'比较正式 (In everyday speech, 有 is sufficient — 持有 is more formal and often used in official or legal contexts)

Origin & History

Combines 持 (to hold/grasp) with 有 (to have), emphasizing active possession or maintenance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal