Meaning
Exist, have, possess, be. Originally depicts a hand holding meat — the idea of “to have/hold,” which became “to possess” or “to exist.”
- 有名 — famous
- 有無 — presence or absence; yes or no
- 所有 — ownership
- 保有 — holding; possession
- 有力 — influential; powerful
- 有益 — beneficial
- 有料 — paid; fee-charging
- 有機 — organic
- 有する — to possess; to have on-based
The ancient form shows a hand holding a piece of meat (月 here functioning as にくづき), expressing “to have in one’s hand.” In modern Japanese, the kun-yomi ある covers “to exist / to have,” while compounds use the on-yomi ユウ/ウ. Note: 有する is an on-yomi-based verb (ユウ + する), not a native kun-yomi.
ここには 十分な証拠が 有ります。
There is sufficient evidence here.
その会社は 強い影響力を 有している。
The company possesses strong influence.
この地域には 歴史的 価値が 有る建物が 多い。
There are many buildings of historical value in this area.
Kun-yomi ある expresses “to exist / to have.” On-yomi ユウ/ウ appears in compounds like 有名, 有無, 所有. The verb 有する uses the on-yomi and is formal/written.