我慢

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 我慢 is a noun and irregular transitive verb read がまん, meaning to endure discomfort, desire, or pain.
• Basic usage: The endured object takes を, and the negative connective 我慢せず means proceeding without enduring it.
  • 眠かったが、駅に着くまで我慢した。 describes enduring sleepiness until reaching the station; 痛みを我慢せず、先生に伝えた。 describes telling the teacher about the pain instead of enduring it.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 着くまで我慢する
  • まで marks the endpoint through which the endurance continues.
• 痛みを我慢する
  • を marks the pain being endured.
• 我慢せず伝える
  • せず links not enduring the pain to the following act of reporting it.