How to Say “I am patient” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 3
"I am patient" in Chinese is 我很有耐心 (Wǒ hěn yǒu nàixīn). 耐心 (nàixīn) literally breaks down as 'endure-heart'; a lovely image of patience as something you carry inside. Like motivation, Chinese treats it as a possession: 有耐心 (have patience), not 'be patient.
Primary translation
我很有耐心
Wǒ hěn yǒu nàixīn
Variants by register
Formal
请您耐心等候
Qǐng nín nàixīn děnghòu
Casual
我可以慢慢等
Wǒ kěyǐ mànmàn děng
When to use it
耐心 (nàixīn) literally breaks down as 'endure-heart'; a lovely image of patience as something you carry inside. Like motivation, Chinese treats it as a possession: 有耐心 (have patience), not 'be patient.' The opposite 没耐心 (méi nàixīn) is what you'll hear parents say about their kids. Note the tone trap: 耐 is 4th tone; pronouncing it flat makes it sound like 奶 (nǎi, milk). In service contexts, staff often say 请您耐心等候 ('please wait patiently'), which is standard polite phrasing at banks, hospitals, and the 派出所 (police station).
Example sentences
学语言需要很有耐心。
Xué yǔyán xūyào hěn yǒu nàixīn.
Learning a language takes a lot of patience.
我妈妈对小孩特别有耐心。
Wǒ māma duì xiǎohái tèbié yǒu nàixīn.
My mom is especially patient with kids.
别急，我可以慢慢等。
Bié jí, wǒ kěyǐ mànmàn děng.
No rush; I can wait.