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B1 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

我慢

gaman
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Erklärung 我慢 in your Level:
At the A1 level, think of 'Gaman' as 'holding back' or 'being a big boy/girl.' It is used for simple things like not eating a cookie before dinner or not crying when you fall down. You might hear 'Gaman shite!' which means 'Be patient!' or 'Hold it!' It is a very basic concept of self-control that children learn early. It is usually used with simple objects like 'toile' (toilet) or 'okashi' (sweets). You don't need to worry about the deep cultural philosophy yet; just use it when you are trying not to do something you really want to do right now.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'Gaman' as a 'suru' verb to describe your daily struggles. For example, 'Samui desu ga, gaman shimasu' (It's cold, but I will endure it). You can use it to talk about physical discomfort or small social frustrations. You will also see the potential form 'Gaman dekiru' (can endure) and 'Gaman dekinai' (cannot endure). This is useful for expressing your limits. It's a step up from just 'waiting' because it shows you are actively trying to stay calm in a difficult situation.
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At the B1 level, 'Gaman' becomes a key word for describing your personality and work ethic. You can use 'Gaman-tsuyoi' to describe yourself or others as patient. You understand that Gaman is often expected in Japanese workplaces. You can use it in more complex sentences like 'Kyuuryou ga yasui keredo, ima wa gaman suru shika nai' (The salary is low, but for now, I have no choice but to endure it). You start to see the nuance of Gaman as a social virtue, not just a physical act of holding back.
At the B2 level, you should be able to distinguish 'Gaman' from its synonyms like 'Shinbou' and 'Nintai.' You can discuss the pros and cons of Gaman in Japanese society—how it helps maintain harmony but can also lead to stress. You can use it in abstract contexts, such as 'enduring the uncertainty of the future.' Your usage should include more sophisticated particles and grammar patterns, such as 'Gaman ni gaman o kasaneru' (to endure over and over again). You understand the cultural weight the word carries in news and literature.
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At the C1 level, you use 'Gaman' to analyze Japanese culture and psychology. You can discuss the 'Gaman' of the Tohoku people after the 2011 earthquake as a sociopolitical phenomenon. You understand the Buddhist origins of the word and how the 'ego' (Ga) relates to the 'endurance' (Man). You can use the word in formal speeches, debates, and academic writing. You are aware of the subtle difference between 'Gaman' (internalized) and 'Taeru' (physical/external resistance). You can interpret the word's usage in classical and modern literature.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'Gaman' is native-like. You can use it with poetic flair or sharp irony. You understand the deepest nuances of the word in various dialects and historical contexts. You can critique the societal pressure of Gaman and its impact on modern Japanese mental health policy. You can use the word in high-level negotiations where 'Gaman' is a tactical move. You are comfortable with all idiomatic expressions involving Gaman and can even create puns or wordplay involving its kanji (我 - self, 慢 - laziness/pride).
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我慢 in 30 Sekunden

  • Core meaning: Patience and endurance in difficult situations.
  • Usage: Can be a noun (Gaman) or a verb (Gaman suru).
  • Cultural significance: A highly valued virtue in Japanese society.
  • Nuance: Implies suppressing one's own needs for a greater cause.

The Japanese term 我慢 (Gaman) is a cornerstone of Japanese social ethics and personal character. At its most basic level, it translates to 'patience,' 'endurance,' or 'self-control.' However, the depth of Gaman extends far beyond the English equivalent of 'waiting.' It describes the psychological and spiritual fortitude required to endure the seemingly unbearable with dignity and composure. Historically rooted in Buddhist philosophy, it originally referred to the 'ego' or 'pride' (the 'I' that persists), but over centuries, it evolved into the virtue of suppressing one's own desires or suffering for the sake of social harmony or a greater goal. In modern Japanese society, Gaman is the invisible glue that maintains order during crises, such as natural disasters or economic downturns. It is the silent strength of an individual who continues to work hard despite personal hardship, without complaining to others.

Core Concept
The internal strength to suppress personal feelings or physical pain.
Social Function
Maintaining 'Wa' (harmony) by not burdening others with one's problems.
Etymology
Derived from Buddhist terms relating to the 'ego' and 'attachment.'

"Even when the work is difficult and the boss is demanding, Tanaka-san shows incredible 我慢 and never loses his temper."

When you use Gaman, you are often referring to a situation where there is a conflict between what you want (to scream, to quit, to eat, to go to the bathroom) and what is socially acceptable or necessary for success. It is the act of biting one's lip. For example, during a long meeting where you are hungry, you exercise Gaman. When you are running a marathon and your legs ache, you exercise Gaman. It is an essential trait for any 'shakaijin' (working member of society). However, modern discourse in Japan also questions the limits of Gaman, particularly regarding mental health and 'karoshi' (overwork death), suggesting that while Gaman is a virtue, excessive Gaman can be harmful. Understanding this word is key to understanding the Japanese psyche.

"The children had to 我慢 their desire for candy until after dinner."

Psychological Aspect
Resilience in the face of adversity.
Physical Aspect
Enduring pain, cold, or physical discomfort.

Using 我慢 (Gaman) correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and a 'suru' verb. As a noun, it functions as the object of a sentence or a subject. As a verb, 我慢する (Gaman suru), it describes the act of enduring. One of the most common grammatical patterns is [Noun] を 我慢する, meaning 'to endure [Noun]' or 'to hold back [Noun].' For instance, 'Toile o gaman suru' (to hold one's bladder) or 'Namida o gaman suru' (to hold back tears). It is also frequently used in the potential form 我慢できる (Gaman dekiru) to say 'I can endure it' or its negative 我慢できない (Gaman dekinai) for 'I can't stand it anymore.'

Verb Conjugation
我慢する (Dictionary), 我慢した (Past), 我慢しない (Negative).
Common Particles
〜を我慢する (Endure something), 〜に我慢する (Endure to/in a situation).
Adjectival Form
我慢強い (Gaman-tsuyoi) - Patient/Persevering.

"もうこれ以上、彼の失礼な態度は我慢できません！" (I can't stand his rude attitude any longer!)

In professional settings, Gaman is often used to describe the necessity of sticking with a difficult project or dealing with a difficult client. It is rarely used for 'waiting for a bus' (which would be 'matsu'); rather, it is used for the *feeling* of annoyance you suppress while waiting for that bus. In family life, parents often tell children 'Gaman shinasai!' when the child wants a toy or is complaining about being tired. This isn't just a command to be quiet; it's a lesson in developing character. Note that 'Gaman' can also be used with 'shite' to form a request: 'Chotto gaman shite kudasai' (Please bear with it for a moment), often used by doctors before a painful injection.

"ダイエット中なので、甘いものを我慢しています。" (I'm on a diet, so I'm refraining from sweets.)

Social Nuance
Using Gaman implies you are doing something difficult for a reason.
Intensity
It can range from 'holding a sneeze' to 'enduring a life-long hardship.'

You will encounter 我慢 (Gaman) in almost every facet of Japanese life. In the workplace, it is ubiquitous. Managers might praise a team for their 'Gaman' during a period of unpaid overtime or budget cuts. In sports, coaches emphasize 'Gaman' as the ability to stay focused and keep playing hard even when the score is against you. You'll hear it in medical contexts constantly; a dentist might say 'Itami o chotto gaman shite ne' (Please bear with the pain for a bit). In Japanese media, particularly dramas and anime, 'Gaman' is a central theme—the hero often has to 'Gaman' through intense training or emotional trauma before achieving victory.

"Japanese news often highlights the 我慢 of citizens after a natural disaster."

On the streets, you might hear a mother telling her crying child, 'Gaman dekiru kana?' (Can you be a big boy/girl and endure it?). In casual conversation among friends, someone might vent about their job and end with 'Demo, mou sukoshi gaman shite miru yo' (But I'll try to stick it out a bit longer). It is also a key term in political speeches, where leaders ask the public for 'Gaman' during economic shifts or public health crises (like during the COVID-19 pandemic). The word carries a sense of shared burden; when everyone 'Gamans' together, the society functions smoothly. It's not just a word; it's a social contract.

"In the anime 'Naruto,' the concept of being a ninja is often tied to the ability to 我慢."

Media Usage
Common in shonen manga to show character growth.
Public Service
Used in announcements asking for cooperation during delays.

A frequent mistake for learners is using 我慢 (Gaman) when they simply mean 'to wait' (待つ - matsu). If you are waiting for a friend at a station, you don't say 'Gaman shite imasu' unless that friend is three hours late and you are freezing cold and furious but choosing not to leave. Another mistake is confusing Gaman with 忍耐 (Nintai) or 辛抱 (Shinbou). While similar, 'Nintai' is more formal and academic (perseverance), and 'Shinbou' often implies enduring for a future reward (like an apprentice enduring hard work to become a master). Gaman is the most versatile and common for daily emotional or physical suppression.

Mistake 1
Using Gaman for simple waiting (e.g., 'Gaman shite kudasai' instead of 'Matte kudasai').
Mistake 2
Overusing it in situations where you should express your feelings (socially, Gaman is good, but in personal relationships, it can lead to misunderstandings).

"Don't say: 'I 我慢 for the bus.' Do say: 'I 我慢 the urge to complain about the late bus.'"

Learners also sometimes forget the particle usage. It's usually 'something *o* gaman suru.' If you say 'something *ni* gaman suru,' it sounds more like you are putting up with a condition or a person. Also, be careful with the phrase 'Gaman shinasai.' While parents say it to children, saying it to a peer or a superior can sound incredibly rude or condescending, as if you are telling them to 'shut up and deal with it.' Instead, use 'O-shizuka ni' or 'Shoushou omachi kudasai' in professional contexts.

"Using 我慢 to mean 'patience' in a general sense can be tricky; it almost always implies a struggle."

Understanding the synonyms of 我慢 (Gaman) helps refine your Japanese. 忍耐 (Nintai) is 'patience' or 'endurance' in a more stoic, long-term, and often noble sense. It is used in formal writing or to describe a character trait (e.g., 'Nintai-zuyoi'). 辛抱 (Shinbou) is very close to Gaman but carries a nuance of 'sticking it out' through a period of apprenticeship or hardship to reach a goal. For example, 'Shinbou-zuyoi' is often used for someone who stays at a difficult job for years. 堪える (Koraeru) is a verb specifically for suppressing a physical reaction, like 'namida o koraeru' (holding back tears) or 'itami o koraeru' (bearing pain).

忍耐 (Nintai)
Formal, long-term endurance, often seen as a virtue.
辛抱 (Shinbou)
Enduring for the sake of a future goal or training.
堪える (Koraeru/Taeru)
To withstand or suppress a specific physical/emotional urge.

"While 我慢 is the everyday word, 忍耐 is what you find in textbooks about ethics."

Another related term is 自制 (Jisei), which means 'self-restraint' or 'self-control,' often used in more psychological or academic contexts. 遠慮 (Enryo) is also related; it means 'refraining' or 'holding back' out of politeness or consideration for others. While Gaman is about enduring something unpleasant, Enryo is about choosing not to do something you *want* to do to avoid bothering others. Finally, 辛抱強い (Shinbou-zuyoi) and 我慢強い (Gaman-tsuyoi) are often interchangeable, but the latter is more common in daily speech to describe a person who doesn't complain.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

〜を我慢する (Object of endurance)

〜に我慢する (Situation of endurance)

〜てまで我慢する (Enduring to the extent of...)

我慢せざるを得ない (Cannot help but endure)

我慢のしすぎ (Too much endurance)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

お菓子を我慢します。

I will refrain from (endure not eating) sweets.

Noun + を + 我慢する

2

トイレを我慢しないでください。

Please don't hold it (the toilet).

Negative request: 〜ないでください

3

ちょっと我慢してね。

Please bear with it for a moment.

Casual request: 〜してね

4

我慢できる？

Can you endure it?

Potential form: できる

5

痛いけど、我慢した。

It hurt, but I endured it.

Past tense: した

6

我慢は大切です。

Patience is important.

Noun + は + Adjective

7

もう我慢できない！

I can't stand it anymore!

Negative potential: できない

8

静かにして我慢します。

I will be quiet and endure it.

Te-form for sequence: 〜して

1

寒いけど、我慢して歩きます。

It's cold, but I'll endure it and walk.

〜けど (but)

2

彼はとても我慢強い人です。

He is a very patient person.

Adjective: 我慢強い

3

お腹が空いたのを我慢しました。

I endured being hungry.

Nominalizer: 〜の

4

テストが終わるまで我慢してください。

Please be patient until the test is over.

〜まで (until)

5

眠いのを我慢して勉強しました。

I endured being sleepy and studied.

Te-form for means

6

この辛い食べ物は我慢できません。

I can't stand this spicy food.

Potential negative

7

子供の時、我慢を教わりました。

I was taught patience when I was a child.

Passive: 教わりました

8

雨が降っていますが、我慢して待ちます。

It's raining, but I'll endure it and wait.

〜が (but)

1

仕事が大変でも、今は我慢するべきだ。

Even if work is hard, I should endure it now.

〜べきだ (should)

2

彼女のわがままにはもう我慢がならない。

I can no longer tolerate her selfishness.

我慢がならない (cannot tolerate)

3

日本人は我慢を美徳と考えている。

Japanese people consider patience to be a virtue.

〜と考えている (consider...)

4

我慢強く待てば、チャンスは来ます。

If you wait patiently, an opportunity will come.

Conditional: 〜ば

5

感情を我慢するのは体に良くない。

Suppressing your emotions is not good for your health.

Nominalizer: 〜のは

6

彼は痛みを我慢して、最後まで走った。

He endured the pain and ran until the end.

Te-form for manner

7

騒音を我慢するのは限界だ。

I've reached my limit in enduring the noise.

Noun: 限界 (limit)

8

少し我慢すれば、すぐに終わりますよ。

If you endure a little, it will be over soon.

Conditional: 〜すれば

1

不景気の間、社員は給与カットを我慢した。

During the recession, employees endured salary cuts.

Noun: 不景気 (recession)

2

怒りを我慢して、冷静に話し合った。

I suppressed my anger and discussed it calmly.

Adverb: 冷静に

3

我慢の限界を超えて、ついに辞職した。

I exceeded the limit of my patience and finally resigned.

Verb: 超える (exceed)

4

都会の生活には、ある程度の我慢が必要だ。

A certain amount of endurance is necessary for city life.

Phrase: ある程度の

5

彼は苦境にあっても、我慢強く耐え抜いた。

Even in a difficult situation, he endured to the end.

Compound verb: 耐え抜いた

6

親の期待に応えるため、彼はやりたいことを我慢した。

To meet his parents' expectations, he refrained from doing what he wanted.

〜ため (in order to)

7

このプロジェクトを成功させるには、我慢が不可欠だ。

Endurance is indispensable for making this project a success.

Adjective: 不可欠 (indispensable)

8

理不尽な要求に対しても、我慢強く対応した。

He responded patiently even to unreasonable demands.

〜に対して (towards)

1

日本社会における「我慢」の精神構造を分析する。

Analyze the psychological structure of 'Gaman' in Japanese society.

〜における (in/at)

2

震災後の被災者の我慢強い姿が世界中で報じられた。

The patient figure of the victims after the earthquake was reported worldwide.

Passive: 報じられた

3

自己犠牲を伴う我慢は、美徳かそれとも抑圧か。

Is endurance involving self-sacrifice a virtue or oppression?

〜を伴う (accompanying)

4

彼は沈黙を守ることで、最大限の我慢を示した。

By keeping silent, he showed the utmost endurance.

〜ことで (by doing)

5

伝統芸能の修行は、まさに我慢の連続である。

Training in traditional arts is truly a series of endurances.

Noun: 連続 (continuation)

6

過度な我慢は精神的な疾患を招く恐れがある。

Excessive endurance may lead to mental illness.

〜恐れがある (fear/risk of)

7

我慢という言葉の裏には、複雑な文化的背景がある。

Behind the word 'Gaman' lies a complex cultural background.

〜という (called)

8

不当な扱いに我慢し続けることは、美徳ではない。

Continuing to endure unfair treatment is not a virtue.

〜し続ける (continue to)

1

「我慢」の語源は仏教の「我慢（あまん）」、すなわち慢心にある。

The origin of 'Gaman' is the Buddhist 'Aman,' meaning pride/conceit.

〜すなわち (namely)

2

近現代文学において、我慢はしばしば葛藤の源泉として描かれる。

In modern literature, Gaman is often depicted as a source of conflict.

〜として (as)

3

彼は、我慢に我慢を重ねた末に、ついに沈黙を破った。

After enduring again and again, he finally broke his silence.

〜た末に (after...)

4

集団主義的な我慢の強要が、個人の創造性を削いでいるとの指摘がある。

It is pointed out that the coercion of collectivist endurance is eroding individual creativity.

〜との指摘がある (it is pointed out that)

5

その政治家は、国民にさらなる我慢を強いる政策を打ち出した。

The politician launched a policy that forces further endurance on the citizens.

〜を強いる (to force)

6

美化された我慢の裏側に潜む、静かなる絶望を見過ごしてはならない。

We must not overlook the quiet despair lurking behind glorified endurance.

〜てはならない (must not)

7

彼は、我慢という名の鎖から自らを解き放った。

He released himself from the chains named endurance.

〜という名の (named...)

8

我慢の美学が崩壊しつつある現代において、新たな倫理が求められている。

In modern times where the aesthetics of Gaman are collapsing, new ethics are required.

〜つつある (in the process of)

Häufige Kollokationen

我慢強い (Gaman-tsuyoi)
我慢の限界 (Gaman no genkai)
我慢を強いる (Gaman o shiiru)
我慢を重ねる (Gaman o kasaneru)
我慢がならない (Gaman ga naranai)
我慢できない (Gaman dekinai)
痛みを我慢する (Itami o gaman suru)
涙を我慢する (Namida o gaman suru)
怒りを我慢する (Ikari o gaman suru)
我慢のしどころ (Gaman no shidokoro)

Häufige Phrasen

我慢してください (Please endure it)
もう我慢できない (I can't stand it anymore)
我慢が大事だ (Patience is important)
我慢しなさい (Be patient! / Endure it!)
我慢強い性格 (A patient personality)
我慢の限界だ (I'm at my limit)
我慢比べ (Endurance contest)
ちょっとの我慢 (A little bit of patience)
我慢が実る (Patience pays off)
我慢を覚える (To learn patience)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

我慢 vs 待つ (Matsu)

Matsu is just waiting for time to pass; Gaman is enduring difficulty while waiting.

我慢 vs 辛抱 (Shinbou)

Shinbou implies enduring for a specific future reward or training.

我慢 vs 忍耐 (Nintai)

Nintai is more formal and refers to long-term perseverance.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"我慢に我慢を重ねる (To endure time and time again)"
"堪忍袋の緒が切れる (To lose one's patience - lit. the string of the patience bag breaks)"
"石の上にも三年 (Three years on a stone - perseverance wins)"
"歯を食いしばる (To grit one's teeth and endure)"
"泥をこねる (To endure humiliation - rare context)"
"苦虫を噛み潰したよう (Looking like one has chewed a bitter bug - enduring displeasure)"
"忍の一字 (The single word 'patience' - patience is everything)"
"臥薪嘗胆 (Gashin-shoutan - enduring hardship for revenge/success)"
"艱難辛苦 (Kannan-shinku - hardships and privations)"
"不言実行 (Fugen-jikko - action without words/silent endurance)"

Leicht verwechselbar

我慢 vs

我慢 vs

我慢 vs

我慢 vs

我慢 vs

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

慢心 (manshin - pride), 我 (ga - self)
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So verwendest du es

Physical vs Mental

Can be used for both (e.g., holding breath vs. enduring a boss).

Social Expectation

Often implies a shared social burden.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using Gaman for simple waiting (待つ).
  • Using 'Gaman shinasai' to a superior.
  • Confusing Gaman with Nintai in casual speech.
  • Forgetting the 'suru' when using it as a verb.
  • Using the wrong particle (e.g., 'ga' instead of 'o' for the object).

Tipps

The Virtue of Silence

In Japan, enduring without complaining is often seen as more noble than expressing your pain. This is the essence of Gaman.

Don't Overuse

While common, don't use Gaman for every minor inconvenience. It implies a real struggle.

Potential Form

Mastering 'Gaman dekiru' and 'Gaman dekinai' is essential for daily conversation.

Workplace Gaman

In a Japanese office, showing Gaman can earn you respect from your superiors.

Medical Context

Doctors use 'Gaman' to ask you to stay still during a procedure.

Patience Bag

Remember 'Kannin-bukuro' (patience bag) as a metaphor for your limit.

Kanji Meaning

The kanji '我' means 'I' and '慢' means 'pride.' It's about controlling your 'I'.

Anime Cues

Listen for heroes shouting 'Gaman da!' to motivate themselves.

Softening Gaman

Use 'Chotto' before Gaman to make it sound less intense.

Gaman vs Enryo

Gaman is enduring pain; Enryo is holding back out of politeness.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Buddhist term

Kultureller Kontext

Historically, women were expected to show more Gaman in the household.

Younger generations are more likely to question excessive Gaman.

Gaman is essential for 'Wa' (harmony).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、何か我慢していることはありますか？ (Is there anything you've been enduring lately?)"

"日本人の我慢強さについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japanese people's patience?)"

"子供に我慢を教えるのは難しいですよね。 (Teaching children patience is hard, isn't it?)"

"我慢の限界を感じたことはありますか？ (Have you ever felt you reached the limit of your patience?)"

"仕事で一番我慢が必要な時はいつですか？ (When is patience most needed in your job?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about a time you had to exercise Gaman.

Is Gaman always a good thing? Why or why not?

Compare Gaman with 'patience' in your own culture.

How does Gaman help or hurt your personal relationships?

Describe a person you know who is very Gaman-tsuyoi.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

In Japan, it's generally a virtue, but excessive Gaman is increasingly seen as a cause of mental health issues and burnout.

No, use 'matsu.' Use Gaman only if the waiting is painful or frustrating.

It's an adjective meaning 'very patient' or 'strong at enduring.' It's a common compliment.

You say 'Mou gaman dekinai!' (もう我慢できない！)

Yes, very often, to describe sticking with difficult tasks or clients.

Gaman is everyday and emotional; Nintai is formal and philosophical.

Yes, children learn this word very early from parents and teachers.

Both. 'Gaman' is the noun, 'Gaman suru' is the verb.

It means 'the limit of one's patience/endurance.'

Yes, it originally referred to the 'ego' or 'pride' in Buddhist teachings.

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