Why is 持っている often translated as "have", even though it means carrying?


I thought that ある was used for ownership and 持つ/持っている meant that you were
carrying or holding something.

For example:

> 私にはコンピューターがある
>
> I have a computer
>
> 私はコンピューターを持っている
>
> I'm holding a computer

Trouble is that the latter is also frequently translated as "I _have_ a
computer". I asked a native, and they said that they'll often use 持っている for
ownership even if they're not/can't hold it (e.g. "車を持っているじゃん？"). The English
course on Japanese Duolingo does this, and I've seen manga translate it this
way as well. Is this idiomatic language that English doesn't have one word to
encapsulate?




From jisho.org:

持つ godan verb with tsu ending

  1. to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry​

  2. to possess; to have; to own​

  3. to maintain; to keep​

  4. to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive​

  5. to take charge of; to be in charge of​

