Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Patience" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "patience", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
辛抱
しんぼう (shinbō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
根気
こんき (konki)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "patience" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 辛抱 and 根気.
In Japanese, 辛抱 (しんぼう (shinbō)) is typically associated with "patience; endurance; perseverance" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to enduring difficulties or hardships with patience and perseverance.
On the other hand, 根気 (こんき (konki)) maps to "patience; perseverance; persistence; energy to keep going" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to patience, perseverance, persistence, or the mental energy to keep going with a tedious/difficult task without giving up. Often used as 根気がいる. A literal translation of "patience" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "辛抱"
不景気な時期ですが、今は辛抱の時です。
It is a recession period, but now is the time for patience.
Bilingual Context for "根気"
この緻密なジグソーパズルを完成させるためには、何日も集中力を保ち続ける_______が必要です。
To complete this highly detailed jigsaw puzzle, patience is required to keep maintaining focus for many days.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "不景気な時期ですが、今は ＿＿＿ の時です。" (Meaning: "It is a recession period, but now is the time for patience.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "辛抱" fits here because it means "patience; endurance; perseverance" in the context of: "It is a recession period, but now is the time for patience.". "根気" represents "patience; perseverance; persistence; energy to keep going".