忍

• Pinyin: rěn
• Hanzi breakdown: 忍 = 刃 (blade) + 心 (heart), enduring pain in the heart

Meaning

To endure; to bear; to tolerate; to hold back. Restraining oneself from reacting.

Common compounds: 忍耐 (patience), 忍受 (endure), 忍不住 (can't help but). Idiom: 忍无可忍 (unbearable). Cultural value: 忍 is considered a virtue in Chinese culture.

Examples

1. 他忍着疼痛跑完了全程。 He endured the pain and finished the entire race.
2. 这件事我已经忍了很久了。 I've been putting up with this for a long time.
3. 小不忍则乱大谋。 If you can't endure small things, it will ruin the big plan.

Usage Guide

Context: emotion, perseverance, restraint

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 忍一忍就过去了。(Just endure it and it will pass.)
• 我实在忍不了了。(I really can't take it anymore.)

Don't Say

• 忍住高兴。(Sounds awkward — 忍 usually applies to negative emotions or urges)

Origin & History

刃 (blade) + 心 (heart). A blade over the heart; enduring pain with inner strength.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal