Translation guide
The ability to keep going despite difficulties. In Japanese, this is often expressed through nouns like 忍耐 (endurance) and 根気 (patience/persistence), verbs like 頑張る (to do one's best) and 粘る (to stick with it), and set phrases like 七転び八起き (fall seven times, stand up eight). The best choice depends on whether you're talking about enduring hardship, sticking with a task, or encouraging someone.
When you want to talk about bearing pain, difficulty, or unpleasant situations without giving up.
The most direct equivalent for 'perseverance' as a virtue. It emphasizes patient endurance of hardship. Often used in formal or written contexts.
忍耐力が必要だ。
You need perseverance.
彼は忍耐強く待った。
He waited with great perseverance.
Commonly used for 'putting up with' something unpleasant. It implies self-restraint and tolerance. Often used in daily conversation.
もう我慢できない。
I can't take it anymore.
彼は痛みを我慢した。
He endured the pain.
Similar to 我慢 but often implies patience over a long period, especially in difficult circumstances. Can be used in phrases like 辛抱強い (persevering).
辛抱強く続ければ、いつか成功する。
If you persevere, you will succeed someday.
When you want to express continuing to work on something despite challenges or lack of immediate results.
Refers to patience and persistence in doing something tedious or long-term. Often used for studying, practicing, or repetitive work.
語学の習得には根気がいる。
Learning a language requires perseverance.
根気よく練習すれば上手になる。
If you practice with perseverance, you'll get better.
Literally 'stickiness-strength', it conveys tenacity and not giving up easily. Often used in sports, business, or personal challenges.
彼の粘り強さが勝利につながった。
His perseverance led to victory.
A straightforward verbal phrase meaning 'to continue without giving up'. Very natural in conversation.
諦めずに続ければ、夢は叶う。
If you persevere, your dreams will come true.
When you want to cheer someone on or tell them not to give up.
The most common way to say 'do your best' or 'keep going'. It's a general encouragement, not specifically about perseverance, but often used in contexts where perseverance is needed.
試験、頑張ってね。
Good luck on your exam. (Keep at it!)
Directly means 'don't give up'. A clear and supportive phrase.
最後まで諦めないで。
Don't give up until the end.
Imperative form of 粘る (to stick to it). Sounds strong and is often used in sports or competitive contexts. Can be rough.
粘れ！あと少しだ！
Stick with it! Just a little more!
When you want to use a well-known saying to illustrate the value of perseverance.
Literally 'fall seven times, stand up eight'. A very common proverb meaning to never give up no matter how many times you fail.
人生は七転び八起きだ。
Life is full of ups and downs. (Persevere through failures.)
Literally 'three years on a rock'. It means that perseverance will eventually pay off, even in uncomfortable situations.
石の上にも三年というから、もう少し頑張ろう。
They say perseverance pays off, so let's keep at it a little longer.
忍耐 is the most formal and refers to the virtue of perseverance. 我慢 is everyday 'putting up with' something, often with a negative nuance of suppressing feelings. 辛抱 implies long-suffering patience, often with a positive nuance of enduring for a good cause.
When cheering someone on, English speakers might say 'I admire your perseverance', but in Japanese, directly praising someone's 忍耐力 can sound overly formal or evaluative. Instead, use phrases like 頑張って or 諦めないで, or simply acknowledge their effort with 大変だったね (That must have been tough).