Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Patience" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "patience", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
我慢
がまん (gaman)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
堪忍
かんにん (kannin)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "patience" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 我慢 and 堪忍.
In Japanese, 我慢 (がまん (gaman)) is typically associated with "patience; endurance; self-control" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to enduring physical pain, emotional distress, or suppressing desires. Can be used with する as a verb.
On the other hand, 堪忍 (かんにん (kannin)) maps to "patience, forbearance, forgiveness" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents The act of enduring something difficult or painful with patience, or forgiving someone's wrongdoing. Often used in specific phrases like 堪忍袋. A literal translation of "patience" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "我慢"
痛いのを我慢して、最後まで走りきりました。
I endured the pain and ran to the very end.
Bilingual Context for "堪忍"
彼の失礼な態度にはもう堪忍の限界だ。
I've reached the limit of my patience with his rude behavior.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "痛いのを ＿＿＿ して、最後まで走りきりました。" (Meaning: "I endured the pain and ran to the very end.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "我慢" fits here because it means "patience; endurance; self-control" in the context of: "I endured the pain and ran to the very end.". "堪忍" represents "patience, forbearance, forgiveness".