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The quality of accepting and respecting other opinions, beliefs, behaviors, or cultures, even if you do not share them.
Er ist ein sehr toleranter Mensch, der offen für neue Ideen und andere Lebensweisen ist.
He is a very tolerant person who is open to new ideas and other ways of life.
The adjective 'tolerant' belongs to a word family. The related noun is 'die Toleranz' (tolerance), and the verb is 'tolerieren' (to tolerate; to put up with or endure something).
In einer vielfältigen Gesellschaft ist Toleranz sehr wichtig.
In a diverse society, tolerance is very important.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If people, opinions, or cultures are being discussed, it is about the social meaning. If plants, the body, or substances are being discussed, the biological or medical meaning is intended.
Man sollte tolerant gegenüber anderen Meinungen sein.
One should be tolerant of other opinions.
If you want to express toward whom or what someone is tolerant, use the preposition 'gegenüber' with the dative. The structure is: tolerant gegenüber jemandem/etwas sein (to be tolerant toward someone/something).
Sie ist sehr tolerant gegenüber den neuen Nachbarn.
She is very tolerant toward the new neighbors.
In the biological or medical meaning, the preposition 'gegen' with the accusative is often used. The structure is: tolerant gegen etwas sein (to be tolerant of something).
Sein Körper ist gegen dieses Medikament nicht sehr tolerant.
His body is not very tolerant of this medication.
liberal
'liberal' and 'tolerant' can both describe an open attitude toward other people and opinions. 'tolerant' mainly means that you accept other views or ways of life, even if you do not share them. 'liberal' is somewhat broader and can also describe a general open attitude or a political stance. If the point is only to let others be who they are, 'tolerant' is usually more precise. If freedom and open rules are also important, 'liberal' fits better.
Er ist tolerant und respektiert, dass seine Freunde anders leben als er.
He is tolerant and respects that his friends live differently from him.
Bei den Eltern ihrer Freundin erlebt sie eine liberale Atmosphäre.
At her friend's parents' house, she experiences a liberal atmosphere.