Meaning and Usage
The verb 耐える (たえる) means "to endure" or "to put up with" something difficult, painful, or unpleasant. It often implies a strong will or patience to withstand hardship or discomfort.
Common Contexts
耐える is frequently used in contexts involving physical pain, emotional stress, or adverse conditions like cold or fatigue. It can describe both temporary endurance and long-term perseverance.
Collocations and Patterns
- 痛みに耐える: to endure pain
- ストレスに耐える: to endure stress
- 寒さに耐える: to endure cold
- 忍耐強く耐える: to endure patiently and strongly
These collocations highlight the typical objects or conditions one endures.
Register and Nuance
耐える is generally neutral in formality but often appears in written or formal spoken Japanese. It conveys a sense of serious endurance rather than casual tolerance.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 耐える with 我慢する (がまんする), which also means "to endure" or "to be patient." 耐える often emphasizes physical or emotional endurance, while 我慢する can imply suppressing desires or feelings more broadly. Use 耐える when focusing on withstanding hardship or pain.