# Gaman

/ˈɡɑmɑn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gaman
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

perseverance, endurance, patience, fortitude, Stoicism, resilience, forbearance

## Antonyms

impatience, complaint, weakness

## Usage notes

- Often used in italics in English texts to indicate its status as a loanword; frequently appears in sociological or cultural discussions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.