我慢して
gaman shite
The English phrase 'be patient' is translated into Japanese as 我慢して (gaman shite).
This phrase is used to describe enduring a difficult or unpleasant situation without complaining. It can apply to exercising emotional self-control and patience in a situation or to enduring physical pain.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is based on the noun 我慢, which literally means patience, endurance or self-control.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 我慢して is a casual way to ask someone to be patient. For a polite request, you should use 我慢してください, which means 'please be patient'. In very formal settings, you might use 落ち着いてお待ちください (Please wait calmly) or お待ちいただくようお願い申し上げます (We kindly ask for your patience). Conversely, 我慢しろ is a harsh, blunt imperative used to tell someone to 'endure it' or 'suck it up'. For a casual way to say 'Just wait a little longer', you can use もうちょっと待ってて or the similar expression もうちょっと待ってな, which adds the particle な.
How do you pronounce it?
gaman shite
Did you know?
- The word 我慢 originally comes from Buddhist terminology, referring to the hubris or pride of the ego that one must overcome through discipline.
- In some contexts, 我慢 can refer to holding in a physical urge, such as needing to use the restroom, which is an entirely different usage from emotional patience.
- The formal phrase お待ちいただく (omachi itadaku) used in professional settings literally translates to 'receiving the favor of you waiting', making the act of waiting sound like a gift given to the speaker.
Examples in context
- ちょっと我慢して。Just be patient.Tatoeba #10320510 by small_snow, translation #2249391 by CK
- 我慢してください。時間がかかります。Be patient please. It takes time.Tatoeba #139008 by KK_kaku_, translation #1896 by Swift
- 店内が混雑しておりますので、お待ちいただくようお願い申し上げます。As the store is crowded, we kindly ask for your patience.
- スマホの修理、もうちょっと待ってて。Just wait a little longer for the smartphone repair.
- 映画の上映が始まるまで、もうちょっと待ってな。Just wait a little longer until the movie starts.
- もう少し我慢して。Mou sukoshi gaman shite.Please be patient a little longer.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are waiting in a long line for a store.
- 蓮 Renもう待てないよ。mou matenai yo.I can't wait anymore.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、我慢して。Ren, gaman shite.Ren, be patient.
- 蓮 Ren本当に時間がかかるね。hontou ni jikan ga kakaru ne.It's really taking a long time.
- 結衣 Yuiもうすぐ順番だよ。mousugu junban dayo.It's almost our turn.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
