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道Nihongo Path
忍

忍·endure, stealth

On-yomi
ニン
Kun-yomi
しの(ぶ)しの(ばせる)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
忍耐にんたいpatience, endurance
忍者にんじゃninja
忍ぶしのぶto endure, to hide oneself
忍び足しのびあしstealthy steps

Example sentences

  1. この仕事には忍耐が必要だ。

    このしごとにはにんたいがひつようだ。

    This job requires patience.

  2. 彼は忍び足で部屋に入った。

    かれはしのびあしでへやにはいった。

    He crept into the room on tiptoe.

  3. 子どもたちは忍者の話が大好きだ。

    こどもたちはにんじゃのはなしがだいすきだ。

    Children love stories about ninja.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 忍耐 as にんだい — it is にんたい
  • Assuming 忍ぶ only means 'sneak' — its core sense is to bear something silently

Memory aid

Picture it

A blade 刃 pressed down on the heart 心 — bearing the pain without a sound.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 忍 mean?