tolerieren
to tolerate
To put up with or accept something that one does not like or rejects, without actively fighting against it.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl ich seine Meinung nicht teile, toleriere ich sie.
Although I don't share his opinion, I tolerate it.
tolerieren
to tolerate
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Meanings
tolerieren
to tolerate
In a medical or biological context, to withstand a substance, treatment, or condition without negative reactions.
EXAMPLE
Der Patient toleriert das neue Medikament sehr gut.
The patient tolerates the new medication very well.
Usage tips
Verbs ending in '-ieren'
'Tolerieren' (to tolerate) is a typical verb ending in '-ieren', which often come from other languages. These verbs are always regular, form the perfect tense with 'haben' (to have), and are inseparable.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe sein Verhalten lange genug toleriert.
I tolerated his behavior long enough.
Use with the accusative
The verb 'tolerieren' (to tolerate) is always used with a direct object in the accusative. You tolerate someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Wir können diesen Lärm nicht länger tolerieren.
We can no longer tolerate this noise.
Typical collocations
In the social meaning, 'tolerieren' (to tolerate) is often connected with abstract things that one puts up with. Typical examples are: tolerating behavior, tolerating a different opinion, or tolerating disruptions.
EXAMPLE
In einer Demokratie muss man andere Meinungen tolerieren.
In a democracy, you have to tolerate other opinions.
Context clue
You can recognize the medical meaning from the context. If there is talk of a 'Patient' (patient), a 'Medikament' (medication), a 'Behandlung' (treatment), or the 'Körper' (body), it is about physical tolerance.
EXAMPLE
Mein Körper toleriert dieses Antibiotikum leider gar nicht.
Unfortunately, my body doesn't tolerate this antibiotic at all.
Compare with
tolerieren vs akzeptieren
to accept
Both words can refer to something one does not like but allows to continue. „Tolerieren“ emphasizes distance or disapproval in the absence of opposition, while „akzeptieren“ suggests a more complete acceptance. Use „tolerieren“ for merely allowing something and „akzeptieren“ for genuine recognition.
tolerieren
Die Gruppe toleriert seine andere Meinung, obwohl sie sie nicht teilt.
The group tolerates his different opinion, even though they do not share it.
akzeptieren
Die Gruppe akzeptiert seine andere Meinung und nimmt ihn weiter ernst.
The group accepts his different opinion and continues to take him seriously.
In real life
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