忍耐
nintai[ɲ̟ĩnta̠i]
Perseverance in Japanese is 忍耐 (nintai).
忍耐 refers to the abstract quality of perseverance and is often used in contexts involving the endurance of hardship or pain. For a more patient and enduring form of perseverance, implying quietly tolerating hardships without complaint, you might use 辛抱.
Meaning: persistent determination to adhere to a course of action, insistence (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 忍耐 is the standard term for the abstract quality of perseverance, ガッツ is a colloquial loanword used to refer to a strong determined spirit. If you wish to express an informal aversion to giving up easily, you can use the phrase 諦めるのはやだ.
How do you pronounce it?
nintai
Did you know?
- The character for 'endure' in 忍耐 is composed of the radicals for 'blade' and 'heart'. This suggests that true perseverance is the ability to keep one's heart calm even when a blade is pressed against it.
- While 忍耐 is a general term, the related word 忍者 meaning 'ninja' uses the same first character. This highlights that the core identity of a ninja is based on the ability to endure and persevere in secret.
- While English speakers often use 'perseverance' as a purely positive trait, in Japanese, the related concept of 我慢 (gaman) implies a social element of enduring hardship to maintain harmony within a group.
Examples in context
- 忍耐は成功への鍵であるとよく言われている。Perseverance, it is often said, is the key to success.This sentence shows how 忍耐 is used in a common proverb about success.Tatoeba #122023 by bunbuku, translation #281980 by CM
- ご存じのとおり、忍耐は成功への鍵なのです。Perseverance, as you know, is the key to success.This sentence uses 忍耐 to state a known fact about the key to success.Tatoeba #11085734 by bunbuku, translation #281975 by Zifre
- 全ての場合を通じて、恋愛は忍耐である。In all cases, love is perseverance.This sentence uses 忍耐 to describe the nature of love.Tatoeba #390080 by Scott, translation #535795 by Scott
- 辛抱することを教えるのは勇気というものです。To teach someone how to persevere requires courage.
- がんばれ！ぜったいにできるよ！Hang in there! You can definitely do it!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a difficult training program.
- 陽葵 Himariこのトレーニングには忍耐が必要ですね。Kono toreeningu ni wa nintai ga hitsuyou desu ne.This training requires perseverance, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kentaはい、大変ですがやり遂げたいです。Hai, taihen desu ga yaritogetai desu.Yes, it's tough, but I want to see it through.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんの忍耐強さを信じていますよ。Kenta-san no nintaizuyosa o shinjite imasu yo.I believe in your perseverance, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。頑張ります。Arigatou gozaimasu. Ganbarimasu.Thank you. I'll do my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “perseverance” translations and entries 忍耐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
