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歯を食いしばる (はをくいしばる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
clench one's teeth ; bear up ; endure
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning to endure pain, hardship, or frustration with determination. Literally 'to clench one's teeth', but used figuratively for gritting one's teeth and persevering.
悔くや し さ を こらえ て 、 歯は を 食く いしばっ て 謝あやま っ た 。
Swallowing his frustration, he gritted his teeth and apologized.
Written forms 歯は を 食く いしばる
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
歯は を 食く い 縛しば る
Variant using 縛る; less common but still encountered.
Similar words 我が 慢まん する 我慢する is a general verb for patience or endurance, while 歯を食いしばる emphasizes the physical or emotional act of gritting one's teeth to bear something difficult.
耐た える 耐える means to withstand or endure, often used for physical or abstract hardships. 歯を食いしばる adds a nuance of active, determined endurance with a visible or internal struggle.
Etymology Compound of 歯 (tooth), を (object marker), and 食いしばる (to clench tightly). The verb 食いしばる itself combines 食う (to bite) and しばる (to tie/fasten), literally 'to bite and tie'. The expression is a vivid metaphor for enduring hardship by clenching one's teeth.
