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.
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.
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.
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.
She resisted the offer.
To go against someone's will, orders, or a natural flow. Often used for disobeying or defying.
It's hard to resist your boss's orders.
Expresses a feeling of reluctance or hesitation about doing something. Literally 'have resistance to'.
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.
I'm resisting sweets.
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.
I resisted the urge to cry.
Simply 'stop oneself from doing'. Less idiomatic but clear.
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.
I couldn't resist laughing at his joke.
Indicates doing something unintentionally or despite oneself. Often used for 'ended up doing'.
I couldn't resist buying it.
Literally 'cannot endure/stand it'. Used when you can't resist an urge.
I can't resist any longer!
To not be harmed or affected by something like heat, water, or pressure.
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.
She resisted arrest.
He is resisting change.
I resist speaking in public. (I feel reluctant to speak in public.)
怒りを抑えた。
I resisted my anger.
This plant resists disease.