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道Nihongo Path
堪

堪·withstand, endure, support

On-yomi
カンタン
Kun-yomi
た(える)こら(える)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
堪能たんのうproficient (esp. at a language); having had one's fill
堪えるこらえるto hold back; to bear (tears, anger)
堪忍かんにんforbearance; forgiving
堪忍袋かんにんぶくろone's stock of patience

Example sentences

  1. 彼は英語に堪能だ。

    かれはえいごにたんのうだ。

    He is fluent in English.

  2. 彼女は涙を堪えて笑顔を見せた。

    かのじょはなみだをこらえてえがおをみせた。

    She held back her tears and smiled.

  3. とうとう堪忍袋の緒が切れた。

    とうとうかんにんぶくろのおがきれた。

    He finally ran out of patience.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 堪能 is たんのう, not かんのう
  • 堪える may be たえる (withstand) or こらえる (hold back) — context decides

Memory aid

Picture it

Earth 土 beside 甚 (extreme): ground that carries an extreme load without giving way — to withstand.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 堪 mean?