Meaning
To transport bags or belongings.
Cultural Background
Offering to carry bags is a key part of 'Omotenashi' (hospitality). It is expected in hotels and high-end ryokans, but also common among friends. The 'Kohai' (junior) is culturally expected to offer to carry heavy items for the 'Senpai' (senior) during business trips or outings. While gender roles are changing, it is still often seen as 'gentlemanly' for a man to offer to carry a woman's heavy shopping bags. On crowded trains, carrying bags on your back (backpacks) is considered rude. People are expected to carry them in their hands or put them on the overhead rack.
The Power of 'Mashouka'
Always use '{荷物|にもつ}を{持|も}ちましょうか？' to sound like a polite, helpful person in Japan.
Don't Touch Without Asking
Even if someone looks like they need help, always ask before grabbing their bags.
Meaning
To transport bags or belongings.
The Power of 'Mashouka'
Always use '{荷物|にもつ}を{持|も}ちましょうか？' to sound like a polite, helpful person in Japan.
Don't Touch Without Asking
Even if someone looks like they need help, always ask before grabbing their bags.
Use with 'Te-ageru'
With close friends, '{荷物|にもつ}、{持|も}ってあげるよ' sounds very natural and kind.
Test Yourself
Choose the most polite way to offer help to a stranger with their bags.
すみません、{荷物|にもつ}を＿＿＿＿＿＿？
'~mashouka' is the standard polite way to offer help in Japanese.
Fill in the particle used to mark the object 'luggage'.
{荷物|にもつ}＿{持|も}ちます。
The particle 'o' marks the direct object of the verb 'motsu'.
Complete the dialogue between a traveler and a hotel staff member.
Staff: {荷物|にもつ}をお{持|も}ちしましょうか？ Traveler: はい、＿＿＿＿＿＿。
'Onegaishimasu' is the standard way to accept an offer of help.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are currently carrying a heavy bag and your friend asks what you are doing.
The '~te iru' form describes a current ongoing state or action.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Nimotsu
Travel
- • スーツケース
- • バックパック
- • ボストンバッグ
Daily
- • 買い物袋
- • ハンドバッグ
- • リュック
Practice Bank
4 exercisesすみません、{荷物|にもつ}を＿＿＿＿＿＿？
'~mashouka' is the standard polite way to offer help in Japanese.
{荷物|にもつ}＿{持|も}ちます。
The particle 'o' marks the direct object of the verb 'motsu'.
Staff: {荷物|にもつ}をお{持|も}ちしましょうか？ Traveler: はい、＿＿＿＿＿＿。
'Onegaishimasu' is the standard way to accept an offer of help.
Situation: You are currently carrying a heavy bag and your friend asks what you are doing.
The '~te iru' form describes a current ongoing state or action.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt means both, but in the context of 'nimotsu,' it almost always means physically carrying or holding.
Yes, 'nimotsu' is a general term that includes backpacks, suitcases, and shopping bags.
Use the continuous form: '{荷物|にもつ}を{持|も}っています' (nimotsu o motte imasu).
No, it is generally seen as polite, though some may decline out of 'enryo' (modesty/hesitation to bother you).
'Motsu' is the act of holding/carrying. 'Hakobu' is the act of transporting from one location to another.
Related Phrases
{荷物|にもつ}を{運|はこ}ぶ
similarTo transport luggage.
{荷物|にもつ}を{預|あず}ける
contrastTo leave/deposit luggage.
{荷物|にもつ}を{受|う}け{取|と}る
builds onTo receive luggage.
{手荷物|てにもつ}
specialized formHand luggage.
