Meaning
to endure; to be patient; to put up with; to hold back
Nuance & Usage
我慢する is a deeply cultural concept in Japan — the ability to endure hardship, suppress one's desires, or tolerate discomfort without complaint. It is considered a virtue, especially in work and social settings. 我慢強い (gamandzuyoi — patient, stoic) is a compliment. 我慢の限界 (gaman no genkai — the limit of one's patience) describes reaching a breaking point. The phrase もう我慢できない means "I can't take it anymore." Unlike mere tolerance, 我慢 implies active restraint of one's emotions or needs for the sake of harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 我慢する interchangeably with 耐える (taeru — to endure physically/mentally), but 我慢 has a stronger social and emotional dimension — it's about suppressing desires or complaints for others' sake. Don't confuse with 辛抱する (shinbou suru — similar, but emphasizes persevering through a difficult situation). Also, 我慢してください is not a polite way to tell someone to be patient — ちょっとお待ちください is more appropriate.
Example Sentences
もう我慢できない。早く家に帰りたい。
もうがまんできない。はやくいえにかえりたい。
I can't take it anymore. I want to go home soon.
彼女は痛みを我慢しながら最後まで走り切った。
かのじょはいたみをがまんしながらさいごまではしりきった。
She endured the pain and ran all the way to the end.
日本のビジネス文化では、不満があっても我慢することが多い。
にほんのびじねすぶんかでは、ふまんがあってもがまんすることがおおい。
In Japanese business culture, people often endure even when dissatisfied.
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