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Kotomora

堪

withstand, endure, support, resist

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン
  • タン

Kun'yomi

  • た.える
  • たま.る
  • こら.える
  • こた.える

Meaning

堪 centers on holding firm under pressure: withstanding hardship, enduring pain, supporting a burden, or resisting an urge. The meanings all share the idea of bearing up without breaking.

Most common words using 堪

20 of 26

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Study

Etymology

堪 combines 土 (earth) with 甚, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of extreme or excessive. The compound suggests the earth's capacity to bear weight, extended to enduring or withstanding.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is earth 土, and the right side 甚 suggests something extreme. Picture the earth supporting a massive, extreme weight without crumbling: it withstands, endures, and resists.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, imagine a can of food enduring a heavy load on top of it: can -> カン, and the can withstands the pressure just like 堪.