我慢
gaman[ɡa̠mã̠ɴ]
gaman is the Japanese phrase for enduring a difficult or unpleasant situation with patience and fortitude.
The word refers to the act of suppressing one's desires or feelings to endure hardship. While 我慢 is a noun, it is most commonly used as the verb 我慢する to describe the actual action of enduring, bearing or being patient.
What does it mean word for word?
Historically, the word is composed of the kanji 我 (ego/self) and 慢 (excess/laziness/disrespect). While this combination once referred to a state of self-indulgence, in modern usage it represents the discipline of self-restraint and endurance.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is unbearable or that one cannot stand a situation, you can use the negative potential form 我慢できない (cannot endure).
How do you pronounce it?
gaman
When do people say it?
The concept of gaman is a deeply rooted cultural value in Japan. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and emotional self-control in the face of adversity to maintain social harmony.
Did you know?
- When a Japanese person tells a suffering friend gaman shite ne, it is not just encouragement to 'hang in there'. It carries a subtle social expectation that the person should keep their struggle private to avoid disturbing the peace of others.
- While gaman is a virtue, describing someone as gaman-zuyoi can be a double-edged sword. Depending on the context, it can be a compliment for strength or a criticism for being too passive to stand up for oneself.
- The concept of gaman is often paired with shikata ga nai, which means 'it cannot be helped'. Together, they form a cultural mindset of accepting an unchangeable situation and enduring it with dignity.
Examples in context
- 先生は、学生たちに我慢の大切さを教えている。The teacher is teaching the students the importance of endurance.
- 彼女は忍耐力があり、どんな困難にも耐えることができる。She has the patience to endure any difficulty.
- 明日の試合まで我慢しよう。Let's endure until tomorrow's match.
- 仕事のストレスを我慢する。Shigoto no sutoresu o gaman suru.I endure the stress of work.
- 今は我慢する時だ。Ima wa gaman suru toki da.Now is the time to be patient.
- 辛いことも我慢して頑張ろう。Tsurai koto mo gaman shite ganbarou.Let's endure the hard times and do our best.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are waiting in a very long line for a store.
- 陽葵 Himari列が長すぎて、もう我慢できないよ。retsu ga nagasugite, mō gaman dekinai yo.The line is too long, I can't stand it anymore.
- 蓮 Renあと少しだけ我慢しよう。ato sukoshi dake gaman shiyō.Let's be patient for just a little bit more.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮は本当に我慢強いね。Ren wa hontō ni gaman tsuyoi ne.You are really patient, Ren.
- 蓮 Renあ、やっと順番が来たよ！a, yatto junban ga kita yo!Oh, it's finally our turn!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 我慢, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
