Grammer - 'motsu' and matsu

The Japanese verb motsu (持つ) means to hold. This verb is used to show that you are holding something or you have something. Motsu can only be used to express things you possess that are inanimate.

   (I) dont have anything = nani mo mottenai (何も持ってない)

   Do you have key? = kagi o motte imasu ka (鍵を持っていますか)

   Do you have pen? = pen motte iru? (ペン持っている？)

   Hold this = kore o motte (これを持って)

   If you want to speak about animals that you own you use the verb kau (飼う). This verb means to raise. 

   (I) am raising horse and cow = uma to ushi o katte imasu
   (馬と牛を飼っています)

   Do you have a cat = neko o katte iru no (猫を飼っているの)

   (I) don't have cat = neko o katte inai (猫を飼っていない)


   You are probably wondering what you would use if you want to talk about people. It would be rude to say you possess someone so instead you use the verb iru.

   (I) have a girlfriend = kanojo wa imasu (カノジョはいます)

   (I) have a friend = tomodachi wa iru (友達はいる)

matsu

   The verb matsu (待つ) means to wait. A simple phrase that you can say to someone in a situation where someone needs to wait is chotto matte (ちょっと待って). Chotto means a little bit. If you want to make this more polite you can add kudasai to the end.

Omatase shimashita (お待たせしました)

   Omatase shimashita ( お待たせしました) is a polite phrase that is used to apologize for making someone else wait for you. In English it means something close to,

   ● I'm sorry to keep you waiting

   ● I've made you wait


   Often when you go to pay for your item at a store clerks will say the more formal phrase,omataseitashimashita (お待たせいたしました). They often will say this even if you did not wait in line for a long time at all. This is simply a way to be polite. In casual situations with your friends you can say omatase (お待たせ).