Translation guide
The English verb "resist" covers several distinct meanings: physically fighting back, refusing to accept something, withstanding temptation or pressure, and preventing an action. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
To actively oppose or fight against someone or something, often physically or in a struggle for power.
The most general and common word for resisting, used for physical resistance, opposition to authority, or metaphorical resistance.
彼は警察に抵抗した。
He resisted the police.
The residents are resisting the new development plan.
Implies defiance or rebellion, often against authority, parents, or rules. More emotional than 抵抗.
息子は親に反抗して家を出た。
My son resisted his parents and left home.
Literally 'bare one's teeth at', meaning to defy or resist aggressively. Often used in negative or rhetorical contexts.
彼に歯向かう者はいなかった。
No one dared to resist him.
To not accept something, such as a change, an idea, or a demand; to be unwilling to do something.
To refuse or reject something firmly. Can be used for offers, requests, or changes.
彼女はその申し出を拒んだ。
She resisted the offer.
彼は変化を拒んでいる。
He is resisting change.
To go against someone's will, orders, or a natural flow. Often used for disobeying or defying.
上司の命令に逆らうのは難しい。
It's hard to resist your boss's orders.
Expresses a feeling of reluctance or hesitation about doing something. Literally 'have resistance to'.
私は人前で話すことに抵抗がある。
I resist speaking in public. (I feel reluctant to speak in public.)
To stop yourself from doing something you want to do, like eating, buying, or saying something.
To endure or put up with something, often used for resisting urges, pain, or annoyance.
甘いものを我慢している。
I'm resisting sweets.
笑いを我慢できなかった。
I couldn't resist laughing.
To suppress or hold back an emotion, desire, or action. More about controlling than enduring.
To hold back the desire to do something. Often used with verb stem + たい.
泣きたいのをこらえた。
I resisted the urge to cry.
Simply 'stop oneself from doing'. Less idiomatic but clear.
お菓子を食べるのをやめた。
I resisted eating snacks.
To be unable to stop yourself from doing something, often because it's too tempting or funny.
A grammar pattern meaning 'can't help but do'. Used for irresistible urges.
彼の冗談に笑わずにはいられなかった。
I couldn't resist laughing at his joke.
Indicates doing something unintentionally or despite oneself. Often used for 'ended up doing'.
つい買ってしまった。
I couldn't resist buying it.
Literally 'cannot endure/stand it'. Used when you can't resist an urge.
もう我慢できない！
I can't resist any longer!
To not be harmed or affected by something like heat, water, or pressure.
To endure or withstand physical conditions, hardship, or pressure.
この素材は高温に耐える。
This material resists high temperatures.
To have resistance (e.g., to disease, corrosion). Often used in technical contexts.
この植物は病気に対する抵抗力がある。
This plant resists disease.
抵抗 (ていこう) is the most general 'resist', covering physical, social, and metaphorical resistance. 反抗 (はんこう) specifically implies rebellion against authority. 我慢 (がまん) is about enduring or holding back personal urges or discomfort.
In English, 'resist' is often used lightly ('I can't resist chocolate'). Japanese often uses specific phrases like 我慢できない or ～ずにはいられない instead of a single verb.
彼女は逮捕に抵抗した。
She resisted arrest.
怒りを抑えた。
I resisted my anger.