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Ga-Ma-N

Ga-Ma-N is a Japanese word that has no word in the English dictionary. It is sometimes translated as “endure”, “persevere” and “tolerate”. But those words are not describing how the word is used.

When a child falls and hurts himself, the child usually cries. At that point, parents may tell the child to “Ga-Man-N”. What it means is that “we know you are hurting, but do not show that to the public. Keep it to yourself.”

Why would anyone “Ga-Ma-N”?

By Ga-Man-N, you are showing how strong you are. The act of Ga-Ma-N or being able to Ga-Ma-N is considered one of the virtues in Japanese society. If you cannot Ga-Ma-N, you are considered weak. I guess this comes from the samurai society.

There are a lot of things people want to do and want to say. But in Japanese society, non-action or silence (Ga-Ma-N) is believed to be more preferred. Japanese do not like direct conflict. But then something passes the point of being Ga-Ma-N, you will see another side of calm. Let’s try not to get there.

PS: When you pass the line of Ga-Ma-N … People say “Ga-Ma-N Dekinai”, “I cannot hold it anymore.”

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