1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “堪” (kan) generally means “to endure,” “to bear,” or “to withstand.” It conveys the idea of being able to tolerate or handle difficult situations or emotions.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “堪” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines elements to convey its meaning. It consists of the radical “土” (earth) at the bottom, which often relates to stability or grounding, and the phonetic component “甘” (sweet) at the top, which can imply a sense of satisfaction or sweetness in enduring something.
Radical: The radical of “堪” is “土” (earth), indicating its connection to the physical world and stability.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “堪” are:
- 堪える (たえる, taeru) – to endure, to bear
- 堪忍 (かんにん, kannin) – patience, tolerance
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- この試練を堪えなければなりません。
(We must endure this trial.) - 彼は堪忍強い人です。
(He is a person with great patience.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “耐” (たい, tai), which also means “to endure” but often emphasizes resistance against external forces, while “堪” focuses more on the ability to bear or tolerate.
Antonyms: An antonym of “堪” is “耐えられない” (たえられない, taerarenai), meaning “cannot endure” or “unable to bear.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The concept of endurance is significant in Japanese culture, often reflected in the philosophy of “忍耐” (にんたい, nintai), which emphasizes patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Proverbs and Idioms: A common proverb is “堪え難きを堪え、忍び難きを忍ぶ” (たえがたきをたえ、しのびがたきをしのぶ), which translates to “Endure what is hard to endure, and bear what is hard to bear,” highlighting the value placed on resilience and patience in Japanese society.