忍
endure · bear · put up with · conceal · secrete · spy · sneak
Details
Description
Ninja/Endure - represents stealth, patience, and the legendary shadow warriors.
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Blade + heart
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of blade and heart. Hiding blade in heart.
Symbolism
Endurance, secrecy, ninja. Represents spirit of enduring hardship and keeping secrets.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents patience and spiritual strength, core concept of bushido spirit enduring hardship.
Anime & Manga
Games
SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Soulslike game surviving Sengoku era as a shinobi
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
堅忍不抜
けんにんふばつ
indomitable perseverance; invincible fortitude; indomitable perseverance
隠忍自重
いんにんじちょう
(behaving with) patience and prudence; putting up with something; (behaving with) patience and prudence
残忍酷薄
ざんにんこくはく
cruel; heartless; brutal; cruel
忍の一字
にんのいちじ
The single character 'nin' (endurance); Patience is the key to everything
Proverbs & Idioms
石の上にも三年
いしのうえにもさんねん
Three years on a stone
Patience and perseverance will prevail
Poetry
玉のをよ たえなばたえね ながらへば 忍ぶることの 弱りもぞする
Poem #89 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 忍 mean in Japanese?
忍 means endure, bear, put up with, conceal, secrete, spy, sneak. Ninja/Endure - represents stealth, patience, and the legendary shadow warriors.
How do you read 忍?
On'yomi: ニン (NIN). Kun'yomi: しの.ぶ、しの.ばせる (shinobu, shinobaseru).
How many strokes does 忍 have?
忍 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).
Is 忍 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 忍 (endure, bear, put up with, conceal, secrete, spy, sneak) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for endure · kanji for bear · kanji for conceal · kanji for secrete · kanji for spy