1.
to endure; to bear; to put up with
To withstand pain, hardship, or unpleasant situations without giving in or expressing it outwardly.
痛みを堪えて走り続けた。
I endured the pain and kept running.
寒さを堪えて外で待った。
I endured the cold and waited outside.
辛い時期を堪えて乗り越えた。
I endured the difficult period and got through it.
2.
to hold back; to suppress (emotions)
To restrain oneself from expressing emotions such as tears, laughter, or anger.
涙を堪えた。
I held back my tears.
笑いを堪えるのが大変だった。
It was hard to hold back my laughter.
怒りを堪えて冷静に話した。
I suppressed my anger and spoke calmly.
堪える emphasizes internal fortitude and self-control.
KANJI NOTE:
Alternatively written as 耐える, though 堪える is more common. Both share the sense of endurance.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 痛みを堪える: to endure pain
- 涙を堪える: to hold back tears
- 笑いを堪える: to suppress laughter
- 空腹を堪える: to endure hunger
RELATED WORDS:
- 耐える: to endure, withstand (more formal)
- 我慢する: to be patient, put up with