Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Be" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "be", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ございます
ございます (gozaimasu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
我慢する
がまんする (gamansuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ございます and 我慢する.
In Japanese, ございます (ございます (gozaimasu)) is typically associated with "to be, to have (polite form of あります/です)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 非常に丁寧な表現で、あります・ですの丁寧語です。店員などが客に対して使うことが多いです。A very polite expression, polite form of 'arimasu'/'desu'. Often used by store clerks to customers..
On the other hand, 我慢する (がまんする (gamansuru)) maps to "to be patient; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; to suppress" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when one has to endure or tolerate something difficult, painful, or annoying, or to suppress a desire/feeling. It implies a conscious effort to bear something unpleasant.. A literal translation of "be" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ございます"
お待たせいたしました。ご注文のお品でございます。
Thank you for waiting. This is your order.
Bilingual Context for "我慢する"
痛かったけど、最後まで我慢しました。
It hurt, but I endured it until the end.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "お待たせいたしました。ご注文のお品で ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "Thank you for waiting. This is your order.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ございます" fits here because it means "to be, to have (polite form of あります/です)" in the context of: "Thank you for waiting. This is your order.". "我慢する" represents "to be patient; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; to suppress".