堪

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

土 (earth; ground) — semantic component, conveys the idea of stability, support, and load-bearing;

甚 (very; extreme) — phonetic component, supplies the sound "gam / kān" and contributes the notion of intensity or excess.

The structure suggests earth bearing great weight, an image well suited to the idea of endurance.

堪 originally meant to be able to bear weight or pressure, especially:

- physical load;

- sustained stress.

From this concrete sense developed the abstract meaning of enduring hardship or pain.

Meanings expanded from physical to psychological domains:

- load-bearing — supporting weight or pressure;

- endurance — tolerating physical or mental strain;

- capability — being able or fit to handle something.

Thus, 堪 connects capacity with endurance under stress.

In Korean, 堪 appears mostly in formal or literary compounds. The character often occurs in negative constructions (不堪).

Endurance & tolerance:

감내 (堪耐) — endurance; tolerance

불감 (不堪) — unbearable; cannot endure

Capability:

감당 (堪當) — to handle; to shoulder responsibility

감임 (堪任) — fit for a post; capable of duty

堪 emphasizes capacity to endure, not merely the act of enduring. It focuses on whether something is bearable at all.

Often contrasted with:

忍 — endure by restraint

耐 — endure over time

Related сharacters:

忍 — endure; restrain

耐 — withstand; last

當 — bear; assume

負 — carry; shoulder

強 — strong; forceful

Among these, 堪 most directly encodes bearability under extreme conditions.

Classical / literary usage:

不堪其苦 — “Unable to bear the suffering”

重任可堪 — “Able to shoulder heavy responsibility”