Translation guide
The concept of forbearance — patient self-control, restraint, and tolerance in the face of provocation — is expressed through several Japanese words and phrases, each with different nuances and contexts.
The act of patiently holding back one's emotions or impulses, especially when provoked.
The most common word for enduring something unpleasant with patience and self-restraint. Often used in daily life for putting up with discomfort, annoyance, or hardship.
彼は怒りを我慢した。
He restrained his anger.
もう少し我慢してください。
Please be patient a little longer.
Emphasizes enduring hardship with patience and perseverance, often over a longer period. More about bearing suffering stoically.
辛抱強く待つ。
Wait patiently (with endurance).
Self-control or self-restraint, often in a moral or disciplined sense. Used for controlling one's desires or impulses.
自制心を持つことが大切だ。
It is important to have self-control.
Showing patience and forgiveness toward others' faults or offenses, refraining from harsh judgment or punishment.
Tolerance, leniency, or magnanimity. Often used for accepting others' differences or forgiving mistakes.
彼は他人の失敗に寛容だ。
He is tolerant of others' mistakes.
Pardon, mercy, or forbearance in the sense of not being harsh. Often used in negative form (容赦なく) to mean 'mercilessly'.
Forgiveness, pardon, or forbearance, often in the sense of letting someone off the hook. Commonly used in requests for forgiveness.
The act of refraining from enforcing a right, such as a creditor not collecting a debt immediately.
Moratorium or grace period for payment; literally 'payment postponement'. Used in financial contexts.
銀行は支払い猶予を与えた。
The bank granted a payment moratorium.
Postponement, grace, or respite. Used in legal and formal contexts for delaying an obligation.
A philosophical or spiritual attitude of calmly enduring hardship without complaint.
Perseverance, endurance, fortitude. Often used in contexts of long-suffering and stoic patience.
忍耐力が必要だ。
You need perseverance.
Enduring hardship; a more literary or formal term for bearing suffering.
忍苦の末に成功した。
He succeeded after enduring great hardship.
我慢 (がまん) is everyday patience for minor annoyances. 辛抱 (しんぼう) implies bearing hardship over time with determination. 忍耐 (にんたい) is more formal and philosophical, emphasizing stoic endurance.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all senses of 'forbearance'. Choose the word based on context: self-restraint (我慢), tolerance (寛容), financial grace (猶予), or stoic endurance (忍耐).
Please forgive me / Please be lenient.
今回は勘弁してあげる。
I'll let you off this time.
The sentence was suspended (probation).