堪える

• Reading: こらえる
• Romaji: koraeru
• Kanji breakdown: 堪 (kan/ko) — to bear, endure
• Pronunciation: /ko.ɾa.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To bear; to endure; to put up with; to hold back; to restrain oneself. Expresses patient, active endurance of pain or emotion.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. Note that 堪える has two readings: こらえる (koraeru, to endure or restrain oneself) and たえる (taeru, to withstand or be capable of). The こらえる reading emphasises actively holding something back — 涙をこらえる (to fight back tears), 笑いをこらえる (to suppress laughter), 痛みをこらえる (to bear pain). These fixed phrases are among the most common uses at N1 level.

Examples

1. 彼女は必死に涙をこらえながら別れを告げた。 She said her goodbyes while desperately holding back tears.
2. 歯の痛みをこらえながら、仕事を終わらせた。 He finished his work while enduring the pain in his teeth.
3. 上司の理不尽な叱責をこらえて黙っていた。 He kept silent, bearing his boss's unreasonable scolding.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, pain, patience, workplace

Tone: stoic

Origin & History

From Old Japanese, related to 堪う (korafu). The kanji 堪 combines earth (土) with a complex component, evoking the image of standing firm and bearing a heavy burden with the whole body.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal