所有する

• Reading: しょゆうする
• Romaji: shoyuusuru
• Kanji breakdown: 所 (sho) — place, that which; 有 (yuu) — have, possess, exist
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.jɯː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To own; to possess; to have legal ownership of property or assets.

A する verb used in formal and legal contexts to express ownership or possession. More formal than 持つ (motsu), it implies legal or registered ownership of property, vehicles, stocks, or other significant assets. The noun form 所有 frequently appears in compounds like 所有者 (owner) and 所有権 (ownership rights).

Examples

1. 祖父はこの土地を50年以上所有している。 My grandfather has owned this land for over 50 years.
2. 会社が所有するビルは全国に30棟ある。 The company owns 30 buildings across the country.
3. 車を所有するには維持費がかかる。 Owning a car comes with ongoing maintenance costs.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, real estate, business, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 所 (sho, place/that which) + 有 (yuu, have/possess). Literally 'that which one has,' a classical Chinese construction expressing possession in a formal register.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal