Meaning and Usage
The verb 堪える (こらえる) means "to bear," "to endure," or "to put up with." It is often used when someone is controlling or suppressing strong feelings such as pain, sadness, or discomfort. It implies a conscious effort to withstand something unpleasant.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 堪える used with physical pain (痛みを堪える), emotional restraint (涙を堪える), or enduring difficult situations (寒さに堪える). It is a somewhat formal or literary word, often found in written Japanese or polite speech.
Collocations and Patterns
- 痛みを堪える: to endure pain
- 涙を堪える: to hold back tears
- 寒さに堪える: to withstand cold
- 堪え難い (たえがたい): unbearable, very hard to endure
Nuances and Tips
堪える emphasizes the effort to suppress or endure something unpleasant, often with a sense of inner strength. It differs from 辛抱する or 我慢する, which are more common and casual words for "endure" or "be patient." Learners should avoid confusing 堪える with 堪能する (to be proficient) or other similar-sounding verbs.
Use 堪える when you want to express a strong, sometimes painful endurance, especially in formal or written contexts.