Japanese word

忍耐

Pronunciation

Romajinintai

Meaning

  • nounpatience

Example

忍耐が必要です。nin tai ga hitsu yō de su

Patience is necessary.

Illustration for 忍耐 (patience)

More examples

困難な交渉では、忍耐が大きな力になります。kon nan na kō shō de wa nin tai ga ō ki na chikara ni na ri ma su

During difficult negotiations, patience can make a big difference.

Core concept

It describes the steady strength that keeps a person calm and persistent when hardship or waiting tests their resolve.

Common phrases

  • 忍耐を要するnin tai o yō su ru

    require patience

  • 忍耐を試すnin tai o tame su

    test one's patience

  • 忍耐を養うnin tai o yashina u

    cultivate patience

Similar words

我慢gaman: The ability to put up with discomfort, difficulty, or an unwanted situation.
辛抱shinbō: The willingness to endure difficulty or wait calmly for something important.
根気konki: The sustained determination needed to keep working despite difficulty or slow progress.

Definition in Japanese

つらさや困難に屈せず、長く耐え続けること。tsu ra sa ya kon nan ni kus se zu naga ku ta e tsuzu ke ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 忍耐 (nintai) is formed from 忍 (nin, "endure") and 耐 (tai, "withstand"), whose meanings reinforce the idea of lasting through difficulty.

Usage tips

  • 忍耐 (nintai) often gives a serious, formal tone to the idea of remaining steady through a difficult situation.

Other meanings

  • endurancenoun
  • perseverancenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 忍耐強いnintaitsuyoipatienti-adjective
  • 忍耐強さnintaitsuyosapatiencenoun
  • 忍耐力nintairyokuendurancenoun

Word lists with this word