Inklingo

How to Say "endurance" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “endurance” is “paciencia” — use 'paciencia' when 'endurance' refers to the mental fortitude and self-control needed to tolerate delays, difficulties, or suffering without getting upset or complaining.

paciencia🔊A2

Use 'paciencia' when 'endurance' refers to the mental fortitude and self-control needed to tolerate delays, difficulties, or suffering without getting upset or complaining.

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resistencia🔊A2

Choose 'resistencia' when 'endurance' relates to the physical or mental capacity to withstand prolonged effort, exertion, or hardship, often in a competitive or demanding context.

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tolerancia🔊B1

Use 'tolerancia' when 'endurance' refers to the physical or psychological capacity to withstand or put up with something unpleasant, like pain, illness, or a specific substance.

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supervivencia🔊B1

Opt for 'supervivencia' when 'endurance' specifically means the ability to stay alive or continue to exist, especially in the face of danger or adversity.

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English → Spanish

paciencia

pah-syen-syahpaˈsjen.sja

nounA2general
Use 'paciencia' when 'endurance' refers to the mental fortitude and self-control needed to tolerate delays, difficulties, or suffering without getting upset or complaining.
A high quality storybook illustration of a person sitting calmly on a wooden stool on a riverbank, holding a fishing rod and waiting patiently for a fish to bite.

Examples

Necesitas mucha paciencia para enseñar a niños pequeños.

You need a lot of patience to teach small children.

Perdí la paciencia esperando el autobús que nunca llegó.

I lost patience waiting for the bus that never arrived.

Ten paciencia, el proceso es lento pero seguro.

Have patience (Be patient), the process is slow but sure.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'paciencia' is a feminine noun, so you must use the article 'la' (la paciencia) and feminine adjectives with it.

Being Patient

To say 'to be patient' in Spanish, you usually say 'tener paciencia' (to have patience), rather than using the verb 'ser' or 'estar' directly with the noun.

Mixing 'Ser' and 'Tener'

Mistake: “Soy paciencia. (I am patience.)”

Correction: Tengo paciencia. (I have patience.) Use 'tener' to describe possessing this quality, or use the adjective: 'Soy paciente' (I am patient).

resistencia

reh-sees-TEN-see-ahresisˈtensja

nounA2general
Choose 'resistencia' when 'endurance' relates to the physical or mental capacity to withstand prolonged effort, exertion, or hardship, often in a competitive or demanding context.
A determined cartoon figure hiking up a very steep, long green hill under a bright sun, demonstrating physical endurance.

Examples

El corredor tiene una gran resistencia física.

The runner has great physical stamina.

Perdí la resistencia después de subir tantas escaleras.

I lost my endurance after climbing so many stairs.

Su resistencia a las enfermedades es impresionante.

His resistance to illnesses is impressive.

Gender Rule

Like most Spanish nouns that end in '-cia' or '-ción', 'resistencia' is always feminine, so you use 'la' or 'una' before it.

tolerancia

toh-leh-rahn-syahtoleˈɾansja

nounB1general
Use 'tolerancia' when 'endurance' refers to the physical or psychological capacity to withstand or put up with something unpleasant, like pain, illness, or a specific substance.
A hiker carrying a heavy backpack while walking up a steep mountain path.

Examples

Tengo poca tolerancia al picante.

I have little tolerance for spicy food.

El paciente desarrolló tolerancia al medicamento.

The patient developed a tolerance to the medicine.

Esta máquina tiene un pequeño margen de tolerancia.

This machine has a small margin of tolerance (error).

Use with 'al' or 'a la'

When talking about physical tolerance, you usually link the word to the substance using 'al' (to the) or 'a la'.

Confusing with Patience

Mistake: “No tengo tolerancia con el tráfico.”

Correction: No tengo paciencia con el tráfico. Use 'paciencia' for annoyance and 'tolerancia' for physical endurance or deep social values.

supervivencia

soo-per-vee-VEN-seeahsuperbiˈβenθja

nounB1general
Opt for 'supervivencia' when 'endurance' specifically means the ability to stay alive or continue to exist, especially in the face of danger or adversity.
A close-up illustration of a small, bright green sapling successfully growing out of a deep crack in dry, brown, cracked earth, symbolizing resilience and continued existence.

Examples

La escasez de agua puso en peligro la supervivencia de la colonia.

The lack of water put the colony's survival in danger.

El instinto de supervivencia nos obliga a buscar refugio.

The instinct of survival forces us to seek shelter.

La pequeña empresa luchaba por su supervivencia en el mercado.

The small company was fighting for its survival in the market.

Feminine Noun Pattern

Most Spanish nouns that end in -encia (like 'supervivencia' or 'paciencia') are feminine, so they always use the articles 'la' or 'una'.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Luchar a la supervivencia (Fighting *to* survival)”

Correction: Luchar por la supervivencia (Fighting *for* survival). Spanish uses 'por' to show the goal or objective of the fight.

Paciencia vs. Resistencia

Learners often confuse 'paciencia' and 'resistencia'. Remember, 'paciencia' is about mental fortitude and tolerating hardship without complaint, like waiting in a long line. 'Resistencia' is more about physical or mental capacity to keep going, like a marathon runner's stamina.

Related Translations

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