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こらえる Japanese meaning | Kotomora

こらえる

also: こたえる

こ

ら

え

る

JLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

bear; endure; put up with

usually written using kana alone

Enduring something unpleasant, such as pain, hardship, or an urge. Often used with 涙, 痛み, 笑い, etc.

See also: 耐える (たえる)

彼かれは痛いたみをこらえて立たち上あがった。
He stood up, enduring the pain.

涙なみだをこらえることができなかった。

I couldn't hold back my tears.

2

ichidan verb, transitive verb

restrain; control; keep a check on

usually written using kana alone

Suppressing an emotion, urge, or impulse. Common with 笑い, 怒り, あくび, etc.

笑わらいをこらえるのに必ひっ死しだった。
I was desperate to hold back my laughter.
あくびをこらえながら会かい議ぎに参さん加かした。
I attended the meeting while stifling a yawn.

3

ichidan verb, transitive verb

forgive; pardon; put up with

usually written using kana alone

Tolerating someone's fault or misbehavior; forgiving. Often used in negative requests or statements about not being able to overlook something.

今こん度どだけはこらえてやろう。
I'll let it slide just this once.
彼かれの無ぶ礼れいはもうこらえられない。
I can no longer put up with his rudeness.

Written forms

こらえるUsage57%
Usually written in kana. The kanji 堪える is also used, especially for the reading こたえる.
堪えるUsage34%
- こらえる
  Kanji form, also read こたえる. When read こたえる, it is restricted to the 堪える spelling.
- こたえる
  Alternate reading こたえる, restricted to this kanji form. Less common than こらえる.
こたえるUsage8%
怺こらえるUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

堪withstand, endure, support
怺endure, (kokuji)

Similar words

耐たえる
耐える (たえる) also means 'to endure', but is more about withstanding hardship or pressure over time, often intransitive. こらえる is transitive and focuses on actively holding back or suppressing something specific.
我が慢まんする
我慢する is a common suru-verb for 'to endure/put up with', often used for patience in daily situations. こらえる can imply a more physical or emotional suppression.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 堪 is used for its meaning 'withstand, endure', while 怺 is a rare variant. The reading こらえる may be related to こらす (to concentrate) or こりる (to learn a lesson), but the derivation is unclear.