Translation guide
The ability to cope well with difficulties; spirit and resilience.
彼は本当に根性がある。
He has real mettle.
Expressing inner strength, bravery, or resolve in facing challenges.
Guts, willpower, fighting spirit. Often used for perseverance in tough situations.
Spirit, pluck, strong will. Slightly more formal and noble than 根性.
彼は気概のある若者だ。
He is a young man of mettle.
Courage, nerve, boldness. Emphasizes bravery in the face of danger or risk.
彼女は度胸がある。
She has mettle.
Guts, fortitude. A more literary or old-fashioned term for inner strength.
胆力を試される。
One's mettle is tested.
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Tenacity, persistence. Focuses on not giving up.
彼の粘り強さが勝利をもたらした。
His mettle brought victory.
Indomitable spirit. A set phrase for unyielding resilience.
彼は不屈の精神で困難を乗り越えた。
He overcame difficulties with mettle.
Toughness (loanword). Casual and modern.
彼のタフさには驚かされる。
I'm amazed by his mettle.
Phrases for proving or testing one's courage or ability.
Testing one's skills/ability. Often used for trying out one's strength in a new field.
新しい仕事で腕試しをする。
Test one's mettle in a new job.
One's true worth is questioned/tested. Formal, often used in serious contexts.
リーダーとしての真価が問われる。
One's mettle as a leader is tested.
The English word 'mettle' does not have a single direct equivalent. Translating it as 金属 (metal) is incorrect. Choose a word based on the specific nuance: courage (度胸), perseverance (根性), or resilience (粘り強さ).
その危機が彼女の真価を試した。
The crisis tested her mettle.
根性を見せろ！
Show your mettle!
Trial of strength. Similar to 腕試し but more about power or capability.
力試しに大会に出る。
Enter a tournament to test one's mettle.