(rěn) — to endure; to tolerate; to bear

Definition

忍 (rěn) is the short verb 'to endure / bear / hold back', often used with 着 or 住. 忍受 is its fuller compound form for 'to endure' pain or hardship.

verb
to endureto tolerateto bear

Examples

  • Tā rěn zhù le méi yǒu kū chū lái.
    He held back and didn't cry.
  • Wǒ jiǎo hěn téng, dàn zhǐ néng rěn zhe.
    My foot hurts a lot, but I just have to bear it.
  • Děng zhè me jiǔ nǐ dōu bù shēng qì, zhēn néng rěn!
    You've waited so long without getting angry — you really can endure it!

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
rènrěn
Same sound today

忍 combines 心 (heart) and 刃 (blade). The 刃 part provides the sound, and the 心 part is the heart.

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