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B1 verb #2,500 가장 일반적인 8분 분량

我慢する

gaman suru
연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 我慢する 30초 만에
설명 我慢する in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of '我慢する' (gaman suru) as 'to wait' or 'to say no to yourself.' Imagine you want a piece of chocolate, but your mom says, 'No, wait for dinner.' You are 'gaman-ing.' It is a very common word that Japanese children learn early. You can use it when you are hungry, thirsty, or want to go to the bathroom but have to wait. It is a 'suru' verb, so you just add 'suru' to 'gaman.' For example: 'Gaman shimasu' (I will be patient). It's a useful word to show you are trying your best to be good or patient in a simple situation.
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At the A2 level, you start using '我慢する' for more everyday situations. You can use the particle 'wo' to show what you are enduring. For example, 'Samusa wo gaman suru' (to endure the cold). You also learn the negative form 'Gaman dekinai,' which means 'I can't take it anymore!' This is very useful when the weather is too hot, or a noise is too loud. You might also hear 'Gaman shinasai' (Be patient!) from teachers or parents. It's about controlling your feelings or physical needs for a short time.
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At the B1 level, '我慢する' takes on a deeper social meaning. It's not just about waiting for a snack; it's about 'putting up with' a difficult situation or a person's behavior for the sake of harmony. You might use it to describe enduring a long commute or a boring job. You should also understand the nuance of 'Gaman' as a Japanese virtue. It is often used in the context of 'Ganbaru' (doing one's best). You'll see it in phrases like 'Gaman no shidokoro' (the time to endure/the crucial moment). You are expected to know how to use it with various grammar structures like 'gaman shite iru' (currently enduring).
At the B2 level, you should be able to distinguish '我慢する' from similar verbs like '耐える' (taeru) and '辛抱する' (shinbou suru). You'll use '我慢' to discuss social issues, workplace stress, or personal discipline. You should understand its Buddhist origins and how it relates to the concept of the 'ego.' In business, you might use it when apologizing for a delay: 'Gomeiwaku wo okake shimasu ga, shoushou gaman kudasai' (We apologize for the inconvenience, please bear with us for a moment). You also understand that 'gaman' can sometimes be negative, leading to 'sutoresu' (stress) if done too much.
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At the C1 level, you use '我慢する' with a high degree of nuance, recognizing its role in the 'Uchi-Soto' (inside-outside) social dynamic. You can analyze literature or news articles where 'gaman' is used to describe national resilience or social pressure. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions like '我慢に我慢を重ねる' (to endure over and over). You can discuss the psychological implications of 'gaman' in Japanese society, such as its link to mental health or its role in maintaining 'Wa' (harmony). You also use the word in formal writing and understand its various honorific forms.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of '我慢する' is near-native. You understand the subtle shift from its original Buddhist meaning of 'arrogance' to the modern 'endurance.' You can use it in philosophical debates about the nature of the self and society. You recognize the word in classical literature and can explain how the concept has evolved through the Meiji era to the present day. You can use it with perfect register, whether in a casual conversation about a diet or a high-level academic lecture on Japanese sociology. You also understand the 'dark side' of gaman—how it can lead to 'Karoshi' (death from overwork) or social withdrawal.
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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

我慢する 30초 만에

  • To endure pain, stress, or desires.
  • A core Japanese cultural virtue of stoicism.
  • Used for both physical and emotional suppression.
  • Commonly paired with the particle 'wo'.

The term 我慢する (Gaman suru) is one of the most culturally significant and linguistically dense verbs in the Japanese language. At its core, it is translated as 'to endure,' 'to be patient,' or 'to put up with.' However, these English equivalents barely scratch the surface of the psychological and social weight the word carries in Japan. To truly understand 我慢, one must look at its origins in Buddhist philosophy, where it originally referred to the 'pride' or 'attachment to the self' (the 'ego') that prevents enlightenment. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a negative trait (arrogance) to a highly praised virtue: the ability to suppress one's personal desires, emotions, and physical discomfort for the sake of social harmony or the achievement of a long-term goal.

1. Emotional Suppression
This involves holding back tears, anger, or frustration. In Japanese society, showing strong negative emotions in public is often seen as a lack of self-control. Therefore, gaman is the mechanism by which one maintains a calm exterior.
2. Physical Endurance
Whether it is enduring a long commute, a cold room, or a grueling workout, gaman is the act of not complaining about physical hardship.
3. Social Responsibility
Often, one must gaman for the benefit of the group (the 'wa' or harmony). This might mean staying late at work because everyone else is, even if you have finished your tasks.

「お腹が空いたけど、会議が終わるまで我慢するしかない。」

— (I'm hungry, but I have no choice but to endure it until the meeting ends.)

The word is composed of two kanji: 我 (Ga) meaning 'self' or 'ego', and 慢 (Man) meaning 'slowness' or 'pride'. In the modern context, it suggests that the 'self' is being 'slowed' or 'restrained'. This is why the word feels much more internal than the English 'tolerate'. When you gaman, you are actively fighting an internal battle against your own urges.

「辛いことがあっても、彼は黙って我慢した。」

— (Even though things were painful, he endured in silence.)

In daily life, you will hear this word from parents to children ('Gaman shinasai!' - Be patient!), in sports (enduring the pain of training), and in the workplace (enduring a difficult boss). It is a versatile verb that covers everything from not eating a cookie to surviving a natural disaster. It is essentially the glue that keeps the social fabric of Japan together by minimizing individual friction.

Using 我慢する correctly requires understanding its grammatical structures and the specific particles it pairs with. As a Suru-verb, it is highly flexible, but its meaning shifts slightly depending on the context of the sentence.

Direct Object: [Noun] を 我慢する
When you want to say you are enduring a specific thing (like hunger, pain, or a person), you use the particle を (wo).
Example: 痛みを我慢する (To endure pain).
The 'Limit' Expression: 我慢の限界
When you can no longer take it, you use the phrase 我慢の限界だ (Gaman no genkai da), meaning 'I am at the limit of my patience.'

「トイレに行きたいのを我慢して、スピーチを続けた。」

— (I held back the urge to go to the bathroom and continued the speech.)

One common grammatical pattern is using the -te form to show a state of endurance. For example, 我慢している (gaman shite iru) means 'I am currently being patient' or 'I am currently putting up with something.' This is often used when discussing ongoing situations like a difficult job or a noisy neighbor.

In the negative form, 我慢できない (Gaman dekinai) is a very powerful phrase. It means 'I can't stand it' or 'It's unbearable.' It can be used for physical sensations (The heat is unbearable!) or emotional ones (I can't stand his attitude anymore!).

「もうこれ以上、彼のわがままは我慢できない。」

— (I can't put up with his selfishness any longer.)

Finally, consider the polite vs. casual forms. In a business setting, you might say 少々ご我慢いただけますでしょうか (Could you please be patient for a moment?), though お待ちいただけますか (Could you please wait?) is more common. 我慢 is often used when the speaker acknowledges that they are asking something difficult of the listener.

You will encounter 我慢する in almost every corner of Japanese life, from the most intimate family settings to the most formal corporate environments. It is a word that defines the rhythm of social interaction in Japan.

1. In the Family (Parenting)
Parents frequently say 「我慢しなさい！」 to children who want a toy or a snack. It is the first lesson in social socialization: learning that you cannot always have what you want immediately.
2. In Sports and Education
Coaches and teachers use gaman to encourage students to push through the 'wall' of exhaustion. 「ここが我慢のしどころだ！」 (This is the point where you must endure!) is a common motivational cry.

「マラソンの後半は、自分との我慢比べだ。」

— (The second half of a marathon is a contest of endurance with oneself.)

In the workplace, gaman is often unspoken but deeply felt. It is the act of staying through a long meeting without showing boredom, or accepting a difficult assignment without complaint. In Japanese office culture, the ability to gaman is often equated with maturity and reliability.

「ダイエット中だから、ケーキは我慢しているの。」

— (I'm on a diet, so I'm refraining from eating cake.)

Interestingly, you also hear it in medical contexts. Doctors might ask, 「痛みは我慢できますか？」 (Can you bear the pain?), or patients might say they gaman-ed too long before coming to the hospital. This highlights the double-edged sword of the concept: while it is a virtue, excessive gaman can lead to health issues or burnout.

While 我慢する is a common word, learners often misuse it by confusing it with similar verbs or applying it in contexts where a different nuance is required. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

1. Confusing with 辛抱する (Shinbou suru)
Shinbou is very similar but implies a more long-term, patient waiting for a result (like an apprentice learning a craft). Gaman is more about the immediate suppression of an urge or pain.
2. Confusing with 耐える (Taeru)
Taeru often refers to physical resistance or withstanding a force (like a building withstanding an earthquake). Gaman is more psychological and internal.

「❌ 寒さを辛抱する → ⭕ 寒さを我慢する」

— (While 'shinbou' isn't grammatically wrong, 'gaman' is much more natural for physical discomfort.)

Another mistake is using 我慢する when you should use 遠慮する (enryo suru). Enryo means to refrain out of politeness or modesty. If someone offers you a drink and you decline, you enryo. If you are dying of thirst but don't drink because you're in a meeting, you gaman. Gaman implies a struggle; enryo implies social etiquette.

「❌ 彼は私の質問を我慢した → ⭕ 彼は私の質問に耐えた」

— (If a question is difficult or annoying, 'taeru' or 'shinbou' might be better depending on the duration.)

Finally, be careful with the particle に vs を. Usually, it's [Thing] を我慢する. If you use に, it often implies 'enduring IN a certain situation' rather than 'enduring the thing itself'. For example, 暑さに我慢する is common, but 暑さを我慢する is the standard 'to endure the heat'.

To master the concept of endurance in Japanese, you need to know the 'family' of words related to 我慢する. Each has a specific flavor and context.

1. 辛抱する (Shinbou suru)
Focuses on perseverance over time. It is often used for work, training, or long-term hardships. It has a slightly more positive, 'building character' nuance than gaman.
2. 耐える (Taeru)
To withstand or resist. Used for physical objects (a bridge withstanding weight) or for enduring extreme, often external, pressure or pain.
3. 堪える (Koraeru)
Specifically used for suppressing an emotional or physical reflex, like holding back tears (namida wo koraeru) or a laugh.

「涙を堪えて、笑顔で別れた。」

— (Suppressing my tears, I said goodbye with a smile.)

Then there is 忍ぶ (Shinobu), which is a more literary or archaic term meaning to endure secretly or to hide oneself. This is the root of Shinobi (Ninja). It implies enduring in the shadows.

「不景気だが、今は辛抱の時だ。」

— (The economy is bad, but now is the time for perseverance.)

Lastly, 自制する (Jisei suru) means 'to exercise self-control.' This is a more formal, academic term often used in psychology or formal writing. While gaman is something a child does when they don't get candy, jisei is what an adult does to maintain professional standards.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Suru-verb conjugation

Particle を for direct objects

Nominalization with の or こと

~te iru for ongoing states

~te kudasai for requests

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수준별 예문

1

トイレを我慢します。

I will hold it (the bathroom).

Simple [Noun] + を + 我慢します。

2

お菓子を我慢しました。

I refrained from eating sweets.

Past tense of suru-verb.

3

ちょっと我慢してください。

Please be patient for a moment.

Te-form + kudasai (request).

4

彼は我慢強いです。

He is very patient.

Adjective form: 我慢強い (gaman-tsuyoi).

5

痛いけど、我慢する。

It hurts, but I'll endure it.

Casual form.

6

我慢しなさい！

Be patient! / Endure it!

Imperative form (nasai).

7

お腹が空いたのを我慢した。

I endured being hungry.

Nominalized verb (no) + wo.

8

もう我慢できない。

I can't stand it anymore.

Potential negative form.

1

寒いけど、コートがないから我慢する。

It's cold, but I don't have a coat, so I'll endure it.

Using 'kedo' for contrast.

2

タバコを我慢するのは難しい。

It's hard to refrain from smoking.

Nominalized phrase + wa + adjective.

3

彼は怒るのを我慢した。

He held back his anger.

Verb (dictionary form) + no wo.

4

この辛さは我慢できません。

I cannot endure this spiciness.

Polite potential negative.

5

もう少しの我慢だよ。

Just a little more patience.

Noun + da/desu.

6

眠いのを我慢して勉強した。

I endured being sleepy and studied.

Te-form for connecting actions.

7

彼女は痛みに強い（我慢強い）。

She is strong against pain (patient).

Using 'ni' to show the target of endurance.

8

わがままを我慢する。

To put up with someone's selfishness.

Standard transitive usage.

1

仕事が大変でも、家族のために我慢している。

Even if work is hard, I'm enduring it for my family.

Te-iru form for ongoing state.

2

隣の部屋の騒音を我慢し続けている。

I keep putting up with the noise from the next room.

Verb stem + tsuzukeru (to continue).

3

ダイエットのために、大好きなケーキを我慢した。

For the sake of my diet, I refrained from my favorite cake.

Tame ni (purpose).

4

彼は我慢の限界に達した。

He reached the limit of his patience.

Set phrase: 我慢の限界.

5

日本人は我慢強い国民だと言われている。

It is said that Japanese people are a patient nation.

Passive reporting form (to iwarete iru).

6

感情を我慢せずに、話してください。

Please speak without holding back your emotions.

Zu ni (without doing).

7

不景気なので、給料カットを我慢せざるを得ない。

Because of the recession, we have no choice but to endure a pay cut.

Sezaru wo enai (have no choice but to).

8

我慢すればするほど、ストレスが溜まる。

The more you endure, the more stress builds up.

Ba... hodo (the more... the more).

1

理不尽な上司の命令を黙って我慢した。

I silently endured the unreasonable orders of my boss.

Adverbial 'damatte' (silently).

2

将来の成功のために、今は我慢の時だ。

For the sake of future success, now is the time for endurance.

Noun + no toki (time of...).

3

彼女の失礼な態度には、もう我慢がならない。

I can no longer tolerate her rude attitude.

Gaman ga naranai (cannot be tolerated).

4

空腹を我慢して、仕事を終わらせた。

Enduring hunger, I finished the work.

Direct object usage.

5

彼は苦痛を顔に出さず、じっと我慢した。

He endured steadily without showing the pain on his face.

Adverb 'jitto' (steadily/patiently).

6

この古いアパートの不便さには我慢が必要だ。

Patience is necessary for the inconveniences of this old apartment.

Noun + ga hitsuyou.

7

衝動買いを我慢するのは、節約の第一歩だ。

Refraining from impulse buying is the first step to saving.

Nominalized phrase as subject.

8

彼は子供の頃から我慢することを教えられた。

He was taught to be patient since he was a child.

Passive voice (oshierareta).

1

国民は長引く増税に我慢を強いられている。

The citizens are being forced to endure prolonged tax increases.

Causative-passive (shiirarete iru).

2

彼は屈辱に我慢を重ね、ついに復讐を果たした。

He layered endurance upon humiliation and finally achieved his revenge.

Idiomatic: 我慢を重ねる.

3

日本文化における「我慢」は、美徳とされる一方で弊害も指摘されている。

While 'gaman' in Japanese culture is considered a virtue, its harmful effects are also pointed out.

Formal 'to sareru ippou de'.

4

経営難を乗り切るため、全社員が痛みを我慢している。

To overcome the management crisis, all employees are sharing (enduring) the pain.

Metaphorical 'itami' (pain/burden).

5

彼女の沈黙は、怒りを我慢している証拠だ。

Her silence is proof that she is suppressing her anger.

Noun modification.

6

過酷な修行に我慢し抜いた僧侶。

A monk who endured through harsh training to the end.

Verb stem + nuku (to do to the end).

7

欲望を我慢することが、精神的成長に繋がる。

Refraining from desires leads to spiritual growth.

Formal 'ni tsunagaru'.

8

彼は我慢に我慢を重ねた末、ついに爆発した。

After enduring again and again, he finally exploded (in anger).

Ta sue (after...).

1

我慢の美学が、現代の日本社会においてどのように変容しているかを論じる。

Discuss how the aesthetics of 'gaman' are transforming in modern Japanese society.

Academic 'wo ronjiru'.

2

自己のアイデンティティを我慢してまで、組織に尽くすべきだろうか。

Should one serve an organization even to the point of suppressing one's own identity?

...shite made (even to the extent of).

3

彼は一時の感情を我慢し、大局的な判断を下した。

He suppressed his temporary emotions and made a broad-perspective judgment.

Strategic vocabulary.

4

震災後の避難所で見られた、被災者たちの驚異的な我慢強さ。

The phenomenal patience of the victims seen in the shelters after the earthquake.

Descriptive noun phrase.

5

「我慢」という言葉の裏には、個人の犠牲という重いテーマが隠されている。

Behind the word 'gaman' lies the heavy theme of individual sacrifice.

Abstract analysis.

6

彼は、他人の無知を我慢するだけの度量を持っていた。

He had the magnanimity to tolerate the ignorance of others.

Doryou (magnanimity).

7

社会的な同調圧力に我慢し続けることは、個人の創造性を損なう恐れがある。

Continuing to endure social peer pressure may damage individual creativity.

Osore ga aru (there is a fear/risk).

8

仏教における「我慢」の原義は、現代の用法とは正反対の「慢心」であった。

The original meaning of 'gaman' in Buddhism was 'conceit,' the exact opposite of modern usage.

Etymological explanation.

자주 쓰는 조합

痛みを我慢する
怒りを我慢する
涙を我慢する
トイレを我慢する
我慢の限界
我慢強い人
我慢比べ
じっと我慢する
我慢が足りない
少々我慢する

자주 쓰는 구문

我慢しなさい
もう我慢できない
我慢のしどころ
我慢に我慢を重ねる
我慢がならない
一時の我慢
我慢の限界だ
お腹が空くのを我慢する
眠いのを我慢する
わがままを我慢する

자주 혼동되는 단어

我慢する vs 辛抱する

Shinbou is more long-term and goal-oriented.

我慢する vs 耐える

Taeru is more about physical resistance or extreme hardship.

我慢する vs 遠慮する

Enryo is about politeness, not internal struggle.

관용어 및 표현

"我慢の限界 (Limit of patience)"
"我慢比べ (Contest of endurance)"
"我慢に我慢を重ねる (Enduring repeatedly)"
"石の上にも三年 (Three years on a stone - perseverance pays off)"
"堪忍袋の緒が切れる (The thread of the patience bag snaps - to lose one's temper)"

혼동하기 쉬운

我慢する vs

我慢する vs

我慢する vs

我慢する vs

我慢する vs

문장 패턴

[Noun] を我慢する

[Verb-dictionary] のを我慢する

[Noun] に我慢する

我慢の[Noun]

我慢できないほど[Adjective]

じっと我慢する

我慢し続ける

我慢を強いる

무료 가입하고 모든 예문 보기

사용법

Age groups

Used by all ages, but parents use it most frequently with children.

Physical vs Mental

Equally used for both.

Positive vs Negative

Usually positive (virtue), but can be negative (suffering in silence).

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'Gaman' for neutral waiting.
  • Confusing 'Gaman' with 'Enryo' (politeness).
  • Forgetting the 'suru' in the verb form.
  • Using 'Gaman' when 'Shinbou' (long-term) is more appropriate.
  • Mispronouncing the pitch accent (putting the stress on 'man').

팁

The Virtue of Gaman

Showing you can 'gaman' is a way to earn respect in Japanese society.

Particle Choice

Use 'wo' for the thing you stop (like eating) and 'ni' for the situation you are in.

Don't Overuse

If you are just waiting, use 'matsu'. 'Gaman' implies you are suffering a bit.

Kanji usage

Always use the kanji 我慢; it is very common and expected at B1 level.

Group Harmony

Remember that 'gaman' is often for the sake of the group, not just yourself.

At the Doctor

If a doctor asks 'Gaman dekimasu ka?', they are asking if you can handle the pain.

Gaman no Genkai

Use this when you are about to lose your temper or give up.

Gaman vs Taeru

Use 'Taeru' for big things like earthquakes or heavy weights.

Buddhist Roots

Knowing it means 'ego' helps you understand why it's about internal control.

Daily Life

Try to identify moments in your day where you are 'gaman-ing' and say it in Japanese.

암기하기

어원

Buddhist term

문화적 맥락

Historically, women were expected to 'gaman' more in domestic settings, though this is changing.

Children are praised for 'gaman' during long school ceremonies or difficult tasks.

The term gained global fame after the 2011 tsunami to describe the calm behavior of survivors.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"最近、何か我慢していることはありますか？ (Is there anything you've been putting up with 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 the patience of Japanese people?)"

"ダイエット中、何を一番我慢するのが大変ですか？ (When on a diet, what is the hardest thing to refrain from?)"

"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?)"

"子供に我慢を教えるのは大切だと思いますか？ (Do you think it's important to teach children patience?)"

일기 주제

Write about a time you had to 'gaman' for a long period.

Compare the concept of 'Gaman' with 'Patience' in your own culture.

Is 'Gaman' always a good thing? Discuss the pros and cons.

Describe a situation where you couldn't 'gaman' anymore.

How does 'Gaman' help in achieving long-term goals?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Not necessarily. While it's a virtue, 'over-gaman' can lead to mental health issues.

Only if the bus is late and you are struggling to stay patient.

Gaman is immediate suppression; Shinbou is long-term perseverance.

You can say 'Kare ni wa gaman dekinai'.

Yes, it originally meant 'ego' or 'pride' in Buddhism.

Yes, it's very common to say 'itami wo gaman suru'.

It means a person is very patient or has high endurance.

Yes, to ask for patience or describe enduring difficult market conditions.

It is written as 我慢.

Wagamama (selfishness) or simply giving in to impulses.

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셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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