Word
gaman
Phoneticsgaman
/ˈɡɑmɑn/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a Japanese idea about staying calm and patient during very difficult times. It means showing strength by not complaining when you are suffering or facing a hard situation.
n. a Japanese term for enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity. Refers to a specific cultural virtue of self-discipline and emotional restraint in the face of adversity.
Examples
“She showed great gaman during the long recovery from her injury.”
“The community relied on the spirit of gaman to rebuild their lives after the devastating earthquake destroyed their homes.”
“Sociologists often point to gaman as a defining characteristic of the national psyche, explaining how collective stoicism facilitates social harmony during periods of intense economic or environmental crisis.”
Examples
simple
“She showed great gaman during the long recovery from her injury.”
contextual
“The community relied on the spirit of gaman to rebuild their lives after the devastating earthquake destroyed their homes.”
complex
“Sociologists often point to gaman as a defining characteristic of the national psyche, explaining how collective stoicism facilitates social harmony during periods of intense economic or environmental crisis.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gaman” in context.
Verb
01. embody gaman
“The marathon runner seemed to embody gaman, never faltering despite exhaustion.”
verb + noun
02. endure with gaman
“Civilians endured with gaman through months of shortages and aftershocks.”
verb + prep + noun
03. gaman prevails
“Even after the disaster, gaman prevails over panic and self-pity.”
noun + verb
04. gaman sustains
“In the camp, gaman sustains people when hope and supplies run low.”
noun + verb
05. practice gaman
“Nurses learn to practice gaman when working long shifts under pressure.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. collective gaman
“After the earthquake, collective gaman helped the community rebuild without despair.”
adj + noun
07. quiet gaman
“Her quiet gaman during chemotherapy inspired everyone on the ward.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. culture of gaman
“The company fosters a culture of gaman, prizing patience under stress.”
noun + prep + noun
09. ethos of gaman
“The team comeback reflected an ethos of gaman and quiet discipline.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a culture of quiet gaman
“The school promotes a culture of quiet gaman and mutual support.”
11. embody the spirit of gaman
“The rescue workers embodied the spirit of gaman, working silently for days.”
12. endure hardship with gaman
“Elderly residents endured hardship with gaman rather than demanding special treatment.”
Usage
Often used in italics in English texts to indicate its status as a loanword; frequently appears in sociological or cultural discussions.
Real-World Examples
“But right now, as they witness workers risking their lives to bring a crippled nuclear power plant under control or the calm and orderly refugee centers, those who know the culture well says Japan appears to be living up to its reputation for strength and stoicism — a quality they refer to as gaman.” Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese, where it originally had a Buddhist meaning related to the control of the ego. Over time, it evolved into a secular virtue describing the ability to persevere through hardship without complaint.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
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