tolerability / compatibility
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tolerability
The property of a substance (e.g., a medication, food, or cosmetic product) being tolerated by the body without negative reactions such as allergies or side effects.
Bei der Entwicklung der neuen Creme wurde besonders auf eine gute Hautverträglichkeit geachtet.
During the development of the new cream, particular attention was paid to good skin tolerability.
The word has a clear structure: the verb 'vertragen' (to tolerate) becomes the adjective 'verträglich' (tolerable/compatible) with the ending '-lich'. The ending '-keit' turns it into the noun 'die Verträglichkeit' (tolerability/compatibility).
Ich vertrage keine Milch, daher achte ich auf die Verträglichkeit von Lebensmitteln.
I can't tolerate milk, so I pay attention to the tolerability of foods.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about medicine, food, or cosmetics, it refers to physical tolerance. In connection with people, it is about social harmony. In technology or software, it means compatibility.
Die Ärztin fragte nach der Verträglichkeit des neuen Medikaments.
The doctor asked about the tolerability of the new medication.
In a medical or cosmetic context, 'Verträglichkeit' often forms compound nouns. Common examples are 'Hautverträglichkeit' (skin tolerability), 'Magenverträglichkeit' (stomach tolerability), or 'Umweltverträglichkeit' (environmental compatibility).
Dieses Shampoo wirbt mit seiner besonders guten Hautverträglichkeit.
This shampoo advertises its especially good skin tolerability.
When it is about technical compatibility, the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative are often used to indicate what something is compatible with.
Bitte prüfen Sie die Verträglichkeit des Druckers mit Ihrem Computer.
Please check the compatibility of the printer with your computer.
tolerance
'die Toleranz' and 'die Verträglichkeit' can both describe whether the body handles a substance well. 'Toleranz' refers more to the ability of the body or organism to withstand a substance or influence. 'Verträglichkeit' describes more the property of a medication, food, or cosmetic product: it causes as few side effects or problems as possible. The words can be confused because in both cases it is about the body's reactions. More natural usage is: the body has 'Toleranz'; a medication has good or poor 'Verträglichkeit'.
Die Verträglichkeit der neuen Creme ist bei empfindlicher Haut besonders wichtig.
The tolerability of the new cream is especially important for sensitive skin.
Nach mehreren Wochen kann sich die Toleranz des Körpers gegenüber dem Schmerzmittel verändern.
After several weeks, the body's tolerance to the painkiller can change.