Hello, I’m Kodak.
Imagine that your Japanese friend points to someone and says:
あの人、すごくモテるよ。
Ano hito, sugoku moteru yo.
That person is really popular.
You may check a dictionary and become even more confused, because 持てる (moteru) can also mean “can hold” or “can carry.”
The katakana spelling モテる helps readers recognize this meaning.
モテる (moteru) means “to be popular,” “to be attractive to others,” or “to get a lot of romantic attention.”
モテモテ (motemote) means “extremely popular” or “getting lots of attention from admirers.”
モテる describes the general state.
モテモテ emphasizes that the person is receiving a great deal of attention.
In this article, you will learn the meaning, pronunciation, origin, spelling, grammar, conjugation, related expressions, and natural examples of モテる and モテモテ.
What Does Moteru (モテる) Mean?
Hiragana: もてる
Dictionary spelling: 持てる
Romaji: moteru
Main meanings:
・to be popular
・to be well-liked or admired
・to attract romantic interest
・to get attention from potential partners
彼は昔からモテる。
Kare wa mukashi kara moteru.
He has always been popular romantically.
優しい人はモテると思う。
Yasashii hito wa moteru to omou.
I think kind people are popular.
English “popular” can describe a restaurant, song, product, or idea. モテる normally describes a person who receives favorable attention.
Without more context, it often suggests romantic popularity.
What Does Motemote (モテモテ) Mean?
Hiragana: もてもて
Dictionary spelling: 持て持て
Romaji: motemote
Meaning:
・extremely popular
・very attractive to others
・receiving lots of attention from admirers
・“everyone is into you”
高校時代、兄はモテモテだった。
Kōkō jidai, ani wa motemote datta.
My older brother was extremely popular in high school.
新しい転校生はクラスでモテモテだ。
Atarashii tenkōsei wa kurasu de motemote da.
The new transfer student is getting lots of attention in the class.
モテる means “be popular,” while モテモテ paints a stronger, more playful image of someone surrounded by attention.
Moteru vs Motemote: What Is the Difference?
A verb describing the state of being popular or attractive to others.
モテモテ
A noun or na-adjective-like expression emphasizing that someone is extremely popular.
He is popular.
⇒ A general statement
彼はモテモテだ。
He is extremely popular / Everyone seems to like him.
⇒ Stronger and more playful
The main point is that the person is receiving a lot of attention or admiration.
How to Pronounce Moteru and Motemote
Romaji: moteru
Morae: モ・テ・る (3 morae)
モテモテ
Romaji: motemote
Morae: モ・テ・モ・テ (4 morae)
Keep the vowels short and clear:
motemote: mo-te-mo-te
Why Is Moteru Written モテる, もてる, or 持てる?
All three spellings may appear, but they have different visual effects.
Common in modern casual writing when the meaning is romantic or social popularity.
もてる
The same word written entirely in hiragana.
持てる
The dictionary kanji spelling; it can also mean “can hold/carry,” so context is important.
In formal reference material, you may also see the dictionary spelling 持てる.
Moteru Meaning 1 vs Moteru Meaning 2
The same pronunciation can represent two related but now distinct uses.
Meaning 1: “Can Hold or Carry”
This is the potential form of 持つ (motsu), “to hold, carry, or possess.”
この箱は一人で持てる。
Kono hako wa hitori de moteru.
I can carry this box by myself.
Meaning 2: “Be Popular or Attractive”
This is the lexicalized popularity meaning usually written モテる in casual contexts.
彼はなぜかモテる。
Kare wa naze ka moteru.
For some reason, he is popular.
I can carry this luggage.
⇒ Physical ability
あの人はモテる。
That person is popular romantically.
⇒ Attention from other people
Boxes and bags are things you can carry. People are described as popular. Confusion is rare in a complete conversation.
Origin and Etymology of Moteru
Major Japanese dictionaries connect the popularity meaning of 持てる with the potential form of 持つ, although the historical dictionary wording is cautious about the exact derivation.
The older meanings include:
・to be treated favorably
・to be made much of or fussed over
・to be popular
・especially, to be liked romantically
The Nihon Kokugo Daijiten records an example of the popularity sense from the 1753 sharebon Seki Fujin Den, a work connected with the pleasure-quarter culture of the Edo period.
持てる was associated with being maintained or treated favorably
↓
It was used for someone who was welcomed, favored, or made much of
↓
The meaning developed into being popular and receiving romantic attention
It is an old word that remains very common in modern conversation.
How to Use ～にモテる
The particle に marks the group or person from whom someone receives attention.
The person is popular with that group.
彼は女性にモテる。
Kare wa josei ni moteru.
He is popular with women.
彼女は男女問わずモテる。
Kanojo wa danjo towazu moteru.
She is popular with people regardless of gender.
あの先生は子どもにモテる。
Ano sensei wa kodomo ni moteru.
That teacher is very popular with children.
Romance is the common default when the group could be potential partners, but the word is not exclusively romantic.
Can You Use ～からモテる?
から may also mark the source of the attention.
彼は年上の人からモテる。
Kare wa toshiue no hito kara moteru.
He is popular with older people.
The difference is small in many sentences:
Be popular with older people.
⇒ Treats the group as the target or relationship counterpart.
年上の人からモテる
Receive popularity/attention from older people.
⇒ Highlights the source from which the attention comes.
Conjugation of Moteru
In the popularity sense, モテる conjugates like an ichidan verb.
Negative: モテない — not be popular
Past: モテた — was popular / got attention
Negative past: モテなかった — was not popular
Te-form: モテて — being popular; popular and…
Desire: モテたい — want to be popular
Conditional: モテれば — if someone is popular
Appearance: モテそう — looks like they would be popular
学生のころは全然モテなかった。
Gakusei no koro wa zenzen motenakatta.
I was not popular at all when I was a student.
もっとモテたい。
Motto motetai.
I want to be more popular.
彼は優しいからモテそう。
Kare wa yasashii kara motesō.
He is kind, so he seems like he would be popular.
The tone can be serious, joking, confident, or self-deprecating depending on the speaker.
Common Phrases with Moteru
a popular or romantically attractive person
モテる男／モテる女性
a man/woman who gets romantic attention
モテ男／モテ女
a popular man/woman; casual compound
モテない
not popular romantically
モテたい
want to be popular
モテそう
seems popular / looks like someone who would be popular
なぜかモテる
be popular for some reason
意外とモテる
be surprisingly popular
What Does Mote-ki (モテ期) Mean?
モテ期 (moteki) combines モテ with 期 (ki), meaning a period or phase.
A period in life when someone suddenly receives more romantic attention than usual.
最近、モテ期が来たかもしれない。
Saikin, moteki ga kita kamo shirenai.
Maybe my popular phase has finally arrived.
人生で一度もモテ期がない。
Jinsei de ichido mo moteki ga nai.
I have never had a popular phase in my life.
People use it when several romantic opportunities seem to arrive around the same time.
Moteru vs Ninki ga Aru (人気がある)
A person receives favorable attention, often romantic.
人気がある
A person, product, place, work, or idea is broadly popular.
この俳優は若い女性にモテる。
Kono haiyū wa wakai josei ni moteru.
This actor is attractive to young women.
この俳優は海外でも人気がある。
Kono haiyū wa kaigai de mo ninki ga aru.
This actor is popular overseas.
このレストランは人気がある。
Kono resutoran wa ninki ga aru.
This restaurant is popular.
モテる is mainly used for a person—or occasionally a person-like character—who receives affection or attention.
Moteru vs Sukareru (好かれる)
Receive noticeable popularity or attention, often from multiple potential partners.
好かれる
Be liked by someone; broad and not necessarily romantic.
彼はクラスでモテる。
Kare wa kurasu de moteru.
He gets a lot of romantic attention in his class.
彼はみんなに好かれている。
Kare wa minna ni sukarete iru.
He is liked by everyone.
好かれる is broader; モテる often points toward attraction.
Moteru vs Chiyahoya Sareru (ちやほやされる)
Be popular or attractive to others.
ちやほやされる
Be fussed over, flattered, or given excessive attention.
彼女は昔からモテる。
Kanojo wa mukashi kara moteru.
She has always been popular.
有名になって、周りからちやほやされている。
Yūmei ni natte, mawari kara chiyahoya sarete iru.
After becoming famous, they are being fussed over by everyone around them.
ちやほやされる often has a mildly critical nuance: the person may be receiving more praise or special treatment than they deserve.
Does Moteru Mean Handsome or Beautiful?
No. Appearance may influence popularity, but モテる describes the reaction a person receives—not one specific physical quality.
cool; handsome; stylish
かわいい
cute
美人
a beautiful woman
モテる
receive attention and attraction from other people
Personality, communication, confidence, kindness, humor, and the social situation can all affect that response.
Does Moteru Mean Someone Is a Player?
No. モテる describes receiving attention. It does not tell us how the person behaves toward admirers.
a person who receives a lot of attention
遊び人
a playboy/playgirl; someone who treats romance casually
女たらし／男たらし
a person who charms or seduces many women/men; often negative
Moteru in Dating and Confession Culture
A person may be described as モテる because several people show interest, ask them on dates, or confess their feelings.
彼はモテるから、よく告白される。
Kare wa moteru kara, yoku kokuhaku sareru.
He is popular, so people often confess their feelings to him.
彼女ができてからもモテている。
Kanojo ga dekite kara mo motete iru.
He has continued to get attention even after getting a girlfriend.
Related article: Kokuhaku Meaning—Love Confessions and Dating Culture in Japan
Related article: Kareshi vs Kanojo—Boyfriend and Girlfriend in Japanese
Moteru and Motemote in Anime and Manga
These expressions are common in school romance, comedy, and dating stories.
You must be popular, right?
いや、全然モテないよ。
No, I’m not popular at all.
あの先輩、モテモテらしいよ。
I heard that upperclassman is extremely popular.
ついに俺にもモテ期が来た！
My popular phase has finally arrived!
モテたいなら、まず人の話を聞きなよ。
If you want to be popular, start by listening to other people.
Sometimes the audience can see that a character is popular even though the character does not notice it.
Natural Example Sentences with Moteru
彼は話が面白いからモテる。
Kare wa hanashi ga omoshiroi kara moteru.
He is popular because he is fun to talk to.
彼女はとてもモテるけれど、今は恋人を作る気がない。
Kanojo wa totemo moteru keredo, ima wa koibito o tsukuru ki ga nai.
She is very popular, but she does not want a partner right now.
学生のころは全然モテなかった。
Gakusei no koro wa zenzen motenakatta.
I was not popular at all when I was a student.
どうしたらモテると思う？
Dō shitara moteru to omou?
What do you think would make someone more popular?
あの人は年上の人にモテそう。
Ano hito wa toshiue no hito ni motesō.
That person seems like they would be popular with older people.
優しくて聞き上手な人はモテる。
Yasashikute kikijōzu na hito wa moteru.
Kind people who are good listeners are popular.
最近、急にモテ始めた。
Saikin, kyū ni mote hajimeta.
Recently, I suddenly started getting more attention.
友達は合コンでモテモテだった。
Tomodachi wa gōkon de motemote datta.
My friend got a lot of attention at the group date.
彼は犬にも子どもにもモテる。
Kare wa inu ni mo kodomo ni mo moteru.
He is popular with both dogs and children.
モテることと幸せな恋愛ができることは別だ。
Moteru koto to shiawase na ren’ai ga dekiru koto wa betsu da.
Being popular and being able to have a happy relationship are different things.
モテモテでうらやましい。
Motemote de urayamashii.
I’m jealous that you get so much attention.
見た目より性格でモテるタイプだ。
Mitame yori seikaku de moteru taipu da.
They are the type who is popular more for their personality than their looks.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Translating Moteru as “Can Hold” Every Time
Check the subject and context. When the subject is a person receiving attention, モテる usually means “be popular.”
Mistake 2: Using Moteru for Popular Products and Places
Use 人気がある for a popular restaurant, song, product, destination, or idea.
Mistake 3: Assuming Moteru Means Physically Beautiful
The word describes the attention someone receives, not the reason for that attention.
Mistake 4: Assuming Moteru Always Means Heterosexual Attention
The word itself does not specify gender or orientation. The phrase before に or the wider context tells you who is attracted to whom.
Mistake 5: Using Motemote in Very Formal Writing
モテモテ is expressive and conversational. In formal analysis, a phrase such as 人気が高い or 多くの人から好意を寄せられている may be more appropriate.
FAQ About Moteru and Motemote
What does moteru mean?
Moteru (モテる) means to be popular, attractive to others, or receive a lot of romantic attention.
What does motemote mean?
Motemote (モテモテ) means extremely popular or receiving lots of attention from admirers. It is stronger and more playful than モテる.
Is moteru a verb?
Yes. In the popularity meaning, モテる is a verb and conjugates as モテない, モテた, モテたい, and so on.
Does moteru only refer to romantic popularity?
No. It can describe being popular with children, animals, or another non-romantic group. However, without special context, it often suggests romantic attention.
Why is moteru written in katakana?
The spelling モテる clearly signals the casual popularity meaning and visually separates it from 持てる, “can hold or carry.” The dictionary headword is traditionally written 持てる.
What is the difference between moteru and ninki ga aru?
モテる usually describes a person receiving favorable or romantic attention. 人気がある is broader and can describe people, places, products, works, or ideas.
What is the difference between moteru and sukareru?
好かれる simply means “be liked” and may refer to one person or many, romantically or non-romantically. モテる suggests noticeable popularity or attraction.
What does motenai mean?
モテない is the negative form and means “not popular” or “not successful in attracting romantic interest.”
What does motetai mean?
モテたい means “I want to be popular” or “I want to attract more romantic attention.”
What does moteki mean?
モテ期 means a period when someone receives more romantic attention than usual. It is a humorous everyday expression, not a scientific stage.
Does moteru mean someone is a playboy or player?
No. It describes receiving attention, not how the person treats admirers or behaves in relationships.
Summary: Moteru and Motemote Meaning
To be popular, attractive to others, or receive romantic attention.
● モテモテ (motemote)
To be extremely popular or receive lots of attention; stronger and more playful.
● Common pattern
[group] + に + モテる
⇒ be popular with that group
● Important spelling difference
モテる = be popular
持てる = can hold/carry, or the dictionary spelling of the same popularity verb
● Related expressions
モテない = not popular
モテたい = want to be popular
モテそう = seems popular
モテ期 = a period of receiving lots of romantic attention
● Main nuance
The word describes attention received from others. It does not automatically mean handsome, beautiful, unfaithful, or already in a relationship.
Other people’s attention gathers around someone.
A person who receives that attention モテる.
A person receiving a great deal of it is モテモテ!
Related Article
If you want to see all the key Japanese words about dating, confessions, and relationships in one place, see Japanese Dating Culture Words: Confession, Couples, Attraction & Rejection.
References
- Kotobank: 持てる — meanings, derivation notes, and a historical example from 1753.
- Goo Dictionary: 持てる — popularity, favor, and “can hold” meanings.
- Kotobank: 持て持て — definition of モテモテ as being extremely popular.
- Goo Dictionary: 持て持て.
- Goo Dictionary: モテ期 — a period of receiving increased affection or attention.
- Kotobank: 持て — noun form meaning popularity or receiving favor.