What is patience? Pronunciation and usage in English

patience means . Learn how to pronounce and use patience through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of patience

patiencenoun

/ˈpeɪʃns/
Definition & pronunciation of patience

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "patience" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "patience" is broken down into three syllables:

  • pay - shuns (like "pay" as in payment)
  • ten - shuns (like "ten" as in the number ten)
  • see - shuns (like "see" as in to look)

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA - for accuracy):

  • /ˈpeɪʃən스/ (This is a simplified, common approximation)

Let's break down each sound:

  • /ˈpeɪ/: This is the first syllable. It’s the "pay" sound – a short “a” as in “apple”.
  • /ʃən/: This is the second syllable. It's a "sh" sound followed by an “uh” sound (like the “u” in “up”). Think of it like “shun.”
  • /s/: This is the final "s" sound.

3. English Pronunciation (more easily explained):

Here's a more conversational guide:

  • Start with the "pay" sound. It’s quick and crisp.
  • Follow that with a sound like "shun," but with a slightly longer "uh" sound in the middle. It should almost sound like "shun-s".
  • Finally, add a quick "s" sound at the end.

Important Notes & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "pa-ti-ence." This is a very common mistake. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
  • The "t" is silent. Don’t pronounce the “t” in the middle of the word.
  • The "i" in "ten" is pronounced like "uhn." It's not a long "i" as in "kite."

Resources for Hearing it Pronounced:

  • Google Translate: Type "patience" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/patience/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce patience" – you'll find many videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What's your native language? (This can help me identify potential areas of difficulty.)

Usage and examples with the word patience in English

Let's break down how to use the word "patience" effectively in English. It's a really important word, and understanding how it's used goes beyond just knowing its definition.

1. Definition:

  • Core Meaning: Patience is the ability to wait calmly for something to happen or for a period of time without getting annoyed or frustrated. It's essentially a virtue of tolerance and self-control.
  • Synonyms: Tolerance, forbearance, composure, serenity, resilience, understanding.

2. How to Use "Patience" – Different Ways:

  • As a Noun (the thing): This is the most common use.

    • Example: "She showed a lot of patience dealing with the difficult customer." (Referring to the quality of waiting calmly)
    • Example: "He needs to develop more patience if he wants to succeed in this job." (Referring to a specific trait)
    • Example: "It takes patience to learn to play the piano." (Referring to the quality needed for the activity)

  • As a Verb (the action): This means to wait calmly.

    • Example: "Please be patient while I finish setting up." (Commanding someone to wait)
    • Example: "I had to be patient and wait for the results of the test." (Describing your action of waiting calmly)
    • Example: "She patiently waited for her turn." (Using an adverb – ‘patiently’ – to modify the verb ‘wait’ and emphasize the calmness)

3. Phrases and Idioms Using "Patience":

  • "Have patience": This is a very common and direct instruction. "Have patience, dear. It will be ready soon."
  • "Practice patience": Suggests cultivating the virtue. “Mindfulness meditation can help you practice patience.”
  • “A test of patience”: Describes a situation that requires a lot of patience. “Dealing with rush hour traffic is a true test of patience.”
  • “Easier said than done” (when talking about patience): It's one thing to say you'll be patient, but another to actually be patient when things are difficult. “I want to be patient with my child, but it’s easier said than done when they’re throwing a tantrum.”

4. Context is Key:

  • Negative Situations: "Patience" is often needed in frustrating situations – waiting in line, dealing with a slow computer, a difficult person, or a challenging project.
  • Positive Situations: It can also be used in a more appreciative way – “It takes patience to nurture a young plant until it blossoms.” or "It requires patience to build strong relationships."

5. Examples in Sentences:

  • "The doctor’s patience was remarkable; he calmly explained the procedure to the anxious patient."
  • "I need a little more patience with this complicated software."
  • "She patiently listened to his problems, offering support and understanding."
  • "He was tested to his patience when the traffic jam stretched for miles."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you trying to use "patience" in? (e.g., writing a sentence, having a conversation, understanding a text?)

Synonyms for the word patience

Idioms of the word patience

the patience of Job
the quality of being extremely patient and not complaining
  • You need the patience of Job to deal with some of our customers.
try somebody’s patience
to make somebody feel impatient
  • His stubbornness would try the patience of a saint.

Practice with vocabulary patience

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Managing a large-scale project often requires significant ______, as unexpected delays and challenges are common.
  2. Her ______ with the new software system allowed her to master its complexities without frustration.
  3. The research team demonstrated remarkable ______ in their pursuit of a vaccine, working tirelessly for months.
  4. To ensure the data analysis was completely reliable, the analyst performed each calculation with utmost ______.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which qualities are essential when dealing with a customer who is upset and demanding? a) Aggressiveness b) Patience c) Empathy d) Defensiveness e) Calmness

  2. Successfully teaching a complex subject to beginners often requires: a) Intelligence b) Rigidity c) Patience d) Clarity e) Adaptability

  3. To overcome significant obstacles in a long-term goal, one primarily needs: a) Impulsivity b) Obstinacy c) Persistence d) Resolve e) Indifference

  4. When providing constructive feedback, it's crucial to exercise: a) Candor b) Patience c) Judgment d) Hesitation e) Tact

  5. Which term best describes the ability to remain balanced and rational in a high-pressure situation? a) Anxiety b) Composure c) Agitation d) Resolve e) Impulsivity

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: You need to calmly wait for the results of the negotiation process. Rewrite using "patience":

  2. Original: He quickly became irritated when the internet connection was slow. Rewrite using a related form of "patience":

  3. Original: Paying close attention to every small detail is crucial for quality assurance. Rewrite without using "patience" but with a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. patience
  2. patience
  3. perseverance
  4. accuracy

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Patience, c) Empathy, e) Calmness
  2. c) Patience, d) Clarity, e) Adaptability
  3. c) Persistence, d) Resolve
  4. a) Candor, b) Patience, c) Judgment, e) Tact
  5. b) Composure, d) Resolve

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The negotiation process requires you to exercise patience while awaiting the results.
  2. He was not very patient when the internet connection was slow.
  3. Meticulous attention to detail is crucial for quality assurance.

Comment ()