Translation and Meaning of: 堪える - koraeru

The Japanese word 堪える[こらえる] carries a deep and everyday meaning, often used in situations that require emotional or physical endurance. If you have ever wondered how to express the idea of "to endure" or "to bear" in Japanese, this article will explore everything about 堪える, from its meaning and origin to its cultural use and practical memorization tips. Here at Suki Nihongo, our aim is to provide clear and reliable explanations for students and curious individuals of the Japanese language.

Meaning and usage of 堪える

The verb 堪える[こらえる] can be translated as "to endure," "to bear," or "to restrain oneself." It is used to describe situations where someone needs to resist a strong emotion, such as anger or sadness, or physical discomfort, such as pain or fatigue. For example, it is common to hear phrases like "涙を堪える" (to hold back tears) or "痛みを堪える" (to endure pain).

Unlike other verbs that express resistance, such as 我慢する (gaman suru), 堪える has a more active tone, suggesting a conscious effort not to give in to something. This nuance makes the word often used in emotional or challenging contexts, reinforcing the idea of perseverance.

Origin and components of kanji

The kanji 堪 is composed of the radical 土 (earth) and the component 甚 (intense, excessive). This combination suggests the idea of "bearing something heavy" or "withstanding intense pressure." Historically, the character was used in contexts involving the bearing of physical loads, but its meaning has expanded to include emotional resilience.

It is worth noting that 堪える can also be read as "たえる" in some situations, such as in 耐える (to endure), but the two words are not entirely interchangeable. While 堪える [こらえる] emphasizes active restraint, 耐える [たえる] has a more general sense of enduring over time.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, the ability to 堪える is often associated with values such as perseverance and self-control. This idea is present in various aspects of culture, from the strict training of martial arts to the Japanese work ethic. In animes and dramas, for example, characters who demonstrate 堪える in difficult moments are often seen as exemplary.

The word is relatively common in daily life, appearing in both informal conversations and more formal contexts. However, its usage can vary depending on the region, with some areas preferring synonyms like 我慢する in certain situations. For Japanese learners, understanding these nuances is essential to sound more natural when speaking.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 堪える

• 堪える - base form
• 堪えます - polite form
• 堪えない - negative form
• 堪えた - past form
• 堪えさせる - causative form
• 堪えれば conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

• 耐える (taeru) - Support, endure (face difficulties with firmness)
• 我慢する (gaman suru) - Be patient, endure (to sustain a difficult condition without complaining)
• 忍耐する (nintai suru) - To have perseverance, to endure (to face challenges with determination and inner strength)
• 辛抱する (shinbo suru) - To have patience (to endure a difficult situation calmly and peacefully)
• 抑える (osaeru) - Control, suppress (prevent something from manifesting or expressing itself)

堪える

Romaji: koraeru
Kana: こらえる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: to support; to hold on; resist; tolerate; to sustain; face; be suitable for; be equal to

Meaning in English: to bear;to stand;to endure;to put up with;to support;to withstand;to resist;to brave;to be fit for;to be equal to

Definition: Suportar to endure the pain and difficulties.

Example Sentences - (堪える) koraeru

See below some example sentences:

私は辛い状況に堪えることができます。

Watashi wa tsurai jōkyō ni koraeru koto ga dekimasu

I can withstand difficult situations.

I can bear the painful situation.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 辛い (karai) - Adjective that means "spicy" or "hot"
• 状況 (joukyou) - noun meaning "situation" or "circumstance"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the grammatical function of "joukyou", in this case "in"
• 堪える (koraeru) - verb that means "to endure" or "to tolerate"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or abstract event, in this case "to endure"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - verb that means "to be able to" or "to be able to do"

彼女は辛い病気に堪えている。

Kanojo wa tsurai byouki ni koraete iru

She is supporting a painful disease.

She has a painful disease.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 辛い (tsurai) - Painful, difficult
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• に (ni) - particle indicating target or destination
• 堪えている (koraeteiru) - enduring, enduring