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JLPT N17画 · 7 strokesradical 心freq #1700

endure, bear, put up with, conceal

Also: secrete, spy, sneak

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ニン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • しの.ぶ
  • しの.ばせる

Mnemonic

While hidden in the heart (心), the ninja (忍) learns to endure pain and conceal his true feelings.

About this kanji

The kanji 「忍」 primarily means to endure or bear something, as well as to conceal or hide. It is commonly used as a verb but also appears in many noun compounds. For example, 忍ぶ (しのぶ) means to conceal oneself, while 忍耐 (にんたい) translates to endurance, referring to the ability to withstand hardships. Another interesting compound is 忍者 (にんじゃ), which means ninja, someone skilled in stealth and secrecy. An important usage note is that the concept of忍 often carries a sense of inner strength and patience, reflecting the ability to remain calm and composed in difficult situations.

Example sentences

  • 忍耐強く待つ必要がある。

    You need to wait patiently.

Meanings across languages

English
endure, bear, put up with, conceal, secrete, spy, sneak
Tiếng Việt
chịu đựng
日本語
忍ぶ
한국어
참다
中文
id
menahan, memendam
th
อดทน, ปิดบัง
es
soportar, ocultar
fr
endurer, supporter
de
erdulden, tragen, verstecken
pt
suportar, ocultar

Common compounds

  • 忍ぶしのぶto conceal oneself, to hide, to endure
  • 忍耐にんたいendurance, perseverance, patience
  • 忍者にんじゃninja, person trained in ninjutsu and employed for covert purposes in feudal Japan
  • 残忍ざんにんbrutal, cruel, merciless
  • 忍び込むしのびこむto creep in, to steal in, to sneak in
  • 忍びしのびstealth, travelling incognito (traveling), ninjutsu
  • 堪忍袋かんにんぶくろone's store of patience
  • 忍び寄るしのびよるto creep, to steal up, to draw near unnoticed

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