忍受

• Pinyin: rěn shòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 忍 = 刃 + 心, endure; 受 = 爪 + 冖 + 又, to receive/accept

Meaning

To endure; to bear; to put up with. Tolerating something unpleasant or painful over time.

Stronger than 忍. Objects are usually negative: 忍受痛苦 (endure pain), 忍受折磨 (endure torture), 无法忍受 (unbearable). Implies sustained endurance.

Examples

1. 他默默忍受着病痛的折磨。 He silently endured the torment of illness.
2. 这种噪音我实在无法忍受。 I really can't stand this noise.
3. 她忍受了很多才走到今天。 She endured a lot to get where she is today.

Usage Guide

Context: hardship, emotion, suffering

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我无法忍受他的态度。(I can't stand his attitude.)
• 忍受孤独是成长的一部分。(Enduring loneliness is part of growing up.)

Don't Say

• 忍受幸福。(忍受 is for negative things — you don't 'endure' happiness)

Origin & History

忍 (rěn, endure) + 受 (shòu, receive/accept). To receive and endure hardship.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal