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B1 verb #4,500 가장 일반적인 10분 분량

ertragen

상위 4,500

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 ertragen 30초 만에

설명 ertragen in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'ertragen' is quite advanced. A1 learners focus on basic survival German: 'Ich heiße...', 'Ich möchte...'. However, you might encounter 'ertragen' in very simple stories or songs. At this stage, you only need to recognize that it sounds like 'tragen' (to carry). Think of it as 'carrying a bad thing'. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet. Focus on the fact that 'er-' is a prefix that stays attached to the verb. If you see 'Ich kann das nicht ertragen', just know it means 'I can't take this'. It is a 'strong' verb, which means it changes its heart (the vowel) in some forms, but for now, just remember the infinitive 'ertragen'.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about feelings and health. You might use 'ertragen' to tell a doctor about pain: 'Ich kann den Schmerz nicht ertragen.' You should also learn the present tense conjugation for 'er/sie/es', which is 'erträgt'. Notice the 'Umlaut' (the two dots over the 'a'). This is the same change as in 'er trägt' (he carries). You are also learning the 'Perfekt' tense. Remember: 'ertragen' does not get a 'ge-' in the past. It is 'Ich habe es ertragen'. This is a common rule for verbs starting with 'er-', 'be-', 'ver-', etc. Practice using it with 'kann' (can): 'Ich kann den Lärm nicht ertragen.'

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B1 is where 'ertragen' becomes a core part of your vocabulary. You are now expected to express opinions and describe experiences in detail. You should use 'ertragen' to describe difficult situations in your past using the 'Präteritum' form 'ertrug'. For example: 'Während der Krise ertrug die Bevölkerung viel Leid.' You should also understand the difference between 'ertragen' and 'vertragen'. 'Vertragen' is for when you get along with someone or when your stomach likes milk. 'Ertragen' is for when something is a burden. At B1, you should also be able to use the 'zu + infinitive' structure: 'Das ist schwer zu ertragen.' This level requires you to move beyond simple physical endurance and into emotional endurance.

At B2, you should master the nuances of 'ertragen' in professional and literary contexts. You will encounter it in news reports and more complex literature. You should be able to use it to discuss abstract concepts like 'Ungerechtigkeit' (injustice) or 'Verantwortung' (responsibility). You should also be comfortable with its synonyms like 'hinnehmen' or 'erdulden' and know when to use which. For example, 'erdulden' sounds much more old-fashioned and poetic than 'ertragen'. You should also be able to use the passive voice: 'Die Hitze konnte kaum noch ertragen werden.' Your sentences should become more complex, combining 'ertragen' with various adverbs like 'stoisch', 'kaum', or 'tapfer'.

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At the C1 level, 'ertragen' is used with stylistic precision. You understand its philosophical weight. You might use it in an essay to describe the human condition or in a high-level business negotiation to describe market pressures. You should be familiar with idiomatic expressions and the subtle difference between 'ertragen' and 'ausstehen'. You can use the noun form 'Erträglichkeit' (bearability) or the adjective 'unerträglich' (unbearable) to add variety to your speech. At this level, you don't just know the word; you feel the weight it carries in a sentence. You can also analyze how the prefix 'er-' changes the telicity of the verb 'tragen', turning a process into a result-oriented state of endurance.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'ertragen'. You can use it in highly formal, academic, or poetic contexts. You might encounter it in the works of Goethe or Kafka, where the act of 'ertragen' is often a central theme of existence. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its relationship to other 'tragen' derivatives like 'beauftragen', 'vertragen', or 'übertragen'. You can use it ironically or with deep sarcasm. You are also aware of regional variations or very specific registers where 'ertragen' might be replaced by more colorful local dialect terms, yet you choose 'ertragen' for its clear, standard, and powerful impact. Your usage is flawless, including complex subjunctive II forms: 'Ich hätte es nicht länger ertragen, wenn du nicht gekommen wärst.'

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

ertragen 30초 만에

Ertragen means to bear or endure something negative.
It is an inseparable prefix verb (er- + tragen).
It changes its vowel in the present tense (er trägt).
It is used for physical pain, emotional stress, and annoying people.

The German verb ertragen is a cornerstone of emotional and physical resilience in the German language. At its core, it translates to 'to bear', 'to endure', or 'to stand'. It belongs to the family of the verb tragen (to carry), but the prefix er- elevates the meaning from a simple physical act of carrying to the psychological or physiological capacity to sustain a burden over time. When you use ertragen, you are not just holding something; you are surviving it, often under duress or in the face of significant discomfort.

The Emotional Weight: In emotional contexts, ertragen is used to describe the act of living through grief, loneliness, or a difficult relationship. It implies a certain level of passivity—not because the person is weak, but because the situation is often beyond their immediate control. You 'ertragen' the silence after a breakup or the weight of a secret. It suggests a long-term duration rather than a momentary annoyance.
Physical Sensation: Physically, it is the word of choice for pain. While aushalten might describe holding your breath or standing in the cold for a minute, ertragen is used for chronic conditions or extreme levels of suffering. A patient might ask for medicine because they can no longer ertragen the pain in their back.
Social Tolerance: In a social sense, it is often used negatively to express that someone is unbearable. 'Ich kann seine Arroganz nicht mehr ertragen' (I can no longer stand his arrogance). Here, it borders on the meaning of 'tolerieren', but with a much stronger emotional reaction of disgust or exhaustion.

Sie musste die Ungewissheit wochenlang ertragen, bevor sie endlich eine Antwort erhielt.

Translation: She had to endure the uncertainty for weeks before she finally received an answer.

Culturally, the concept of ertragen is deeply embedded in German literature and philosophy, often linked to the idea of 'Schicksal' (fate). It reflects a stoic approach to life's unavoidable hardships. Unlike 'vertragen' (to get along with or to tolerate a substance), ertragen always involves a degree of suffering or effort. When a German says 'Das ist kaum zu ertragen', they are expressing a profound limit of their patience or sanity.

Wie kannst du diesen Lärm nur ertragen?

Translation: How can you even stand this noise?

In professional settings, it might describe the burden of responsibility or the pressure of a deadline. However, it remains more common in personal, existential, or medical contexts. It is a transitive verb, meaning it always requires an object—the thing that is being endured. You cannot just 'ertragen'; you must 'ertragen etwas'. This object is almost always something negative: heat, noise, pain, boredom, or a person's behavior.

Es ist schwer, die Wahrheit zu ertragen.

Translation: It is difficult to bear the truth.

Using ertragen correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as an inseparable prefix verb. The prefix er- never detaches from the root tragen. This means in a sentence, whether in the present, past, or as an infinitive, 'er' and 'tragen' stay together. It follows the conjugation pattern of tragen (to carry), which is an irregular (strong) verb.

The Present Tense Change: Just like 'tragen' becomes 'du trägst' and 'er trägt', 'ertragen' becomes du erträgst and er/sie/es erträgt. This vowel shift from 'a' to 'ä' is crucial for B1 learners to master.
The Past Tense (Präteritum): The past tense form is ertrug. For example: 'Er ertrug die Kälte ohne eine einzige Beschwerde' (He endured the cold without a single complaint). This form is common in written narratives and formal storytelling.
The Perfect Tense (Perfekt): Because it is an inseparable verb, the past participle does not take the 'ge-' prefix. It is simply ertragen. The helping verb is always haben. Example: 'Ich habe diesen Zustand lange genug ertragen' (I have endured this condition long enough).

Kannst du die Hitze ertragen?

Translation: Can you stand the heat?

A common sentence structure involving ertragen is the use of 'kaum' (hardly) or 'nicht mehr' (no longer). These modifiers help express the limit of one's endurance. It is also frequently paired with modal verbs like können (to be able to) or müssen (to have to). When used with 'zu', as in 'zu ertragen', it often functions as an adjective-like phrase modifying a noun.

Der Verlust war für ihn kaum zu ertragen.

Translation: The loss was hardly bearable for him.

When describing people, the verb takes an accusative object. 'Ich ertrage dich nicht' (I can't stand you) is a very direct and harsh statement. In more formal contexts, you might hear it used in the passive voice, though this is rarer: 'Solche Zustände können nicht länger ertragen werden' (Such conditions can no longer be endured).

Sie ertrug die Kritik mit stoischer Ruhe.

Translation: She endured the criticism with stoic calm.

You will encounter ertragen in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane to the deeply philosophical. In everyday life, Germans use it to complain about the weather, noise, or annoying habits. However, its most powerful usage is in media, literature, and medical discussions.

In the News and Media: News anchors often use ertragen when reporting on humanitarian crises or natural disasters. They might talk about the 'Leid, das die Menschen ertragen müssen' (the suffering people have to endure). It adds a layer of empathy and gravity to the reporting that 'haben' or 'erleben' would lack.
Medical and Therapeutic Contexts: In a doctor's office, you might hear: 'Sind die Schmerzen noch zu ertragen?' (Are the pains still bearable?). In therapy, a counselor might discuss how to ertragen difficult emotions like grief or anxiety without suppressing them. It is a key word in discussing mental health and coping mechanisms.
Literature and Film: German cinema and literature are known for their depth and occasional 'Weltschmerz'. Characters often grapple with what they can or cannot ertragen. Think of a protagonist in a historical drama facing political oppression—their journey is defined by what they endure.

“Das Schicksal ist ein mörderisches Ding, man muss es ertragen.”

A common thematic sentiment in German dramatic arts: "Fate is a murderous thing, one must endure it."

In a work environment, you might hear it during a 'Kaffeeklatsch' (coffee break chat) when colleagues vent about a difficult boss or a stressful project. 'Ich kann den Druck in dieser Abteilung kaum noch ertragen.' It expresses a peak level of stress that suggests the person might be reaching a breaking point.

Die Einsamkeit war für sie am schwersten zu ertragen.

Translation: The loneliness was the hardest thing for her to endure.

One of the most frequent hurdles for learners is confusing ertragen with its look-alikes: vertragen, aushalten, and leiden. While they all touch on the concept of 'bearing' or 'suffering', their usage is distinct and swapping them can lead to confusion or unintended meanings.

Ertragen vs. Vertragen: This is the 'classic' mistake. Vertragen usually means 'to tolerate' a substance (like alcohol or milk) or 'to get along' with someone. If you say 'Ich kann meinen Nachbarn nicht vertragen', it means you don't get along. If you say 'Ich kann meinen Nachbarn nicht ertragen', it means his very existence causes you suffering and you can't stand being around him. Use ertragen for the emotional burden, vertragen for compatibility.
Ertragen vs. Aushalten: Aushalten is more physical and often shorter in duration. You aushalten a cold shower or a loud bang. Ertragen is more about the internal weight. However, in many cases, they are interchangeable. A good rule of thumb: if it's a deep emotional pain, ertragen is better. If it's a physical stressor you're resisting, aushalten fits well.
Prefix Confusion: Learners often try to separate the 'er-' prefix. Remember: 'Ich trage das er' is wrong. It must be 'Ich ertrage das'. Because 'er-' is inseparable, the stress is always on the root syllable 'tra'.

FALSCH: Ich habe das Schicksal geertragen.
RICHTIG: Ich habe das Schicksal ertragen.

Never use 'ge-' for the past participle of 'ertragen'.

Another mistake is forgetting the vowel change in the present tense. Many B1 students say 'er ertragt' instead of 'er erträgt'. This is a carry-over from 'tragen' and is a sign of a strong student when corrected. Lastly, ensure you have an object. You cannot just say 'Ich kann nicht mehr ertragen.' You need to say 'Ich kann es nicht mehr ertragen' (I can no longer endure it).

To truly master ertragen, you should know its synonyms and how they shift the tone of your sentence. German is rich with verbs that describe the act of dealing with unpleasantness, and choosing the right one can make you sound much more like a native speaker.

Aushalten (To hold out / withstand): This is the closest synonym. It focuses on the strength required to resist a force. 'Hältst du die Kälte aus?' (Can you withstand the cold?). It is slightly more informal than ertragen and more common in spoken German for physical sensations.
Dulden (To tolerate / condone): Dulden is more about permission. If you dulden something, you allow it to happen even if you don't like it. It is often used in legal or official contexts. 'Wir dulden keine Verspätungen' (We do not tolerate delays). It lacks the internal suffering aspect of ertragen.
Hinnehmen (To accept / put up with): This is a more passive alternative. It means to accept a situation because you feel you cannot change it. It doesn't necessarily mean you are 'suffering', just that you have stopped fighting. 'Man muss die Tatsachen hinnehmen' (One must accept the facts).
Verwinden / Verschmerzen (To get over / get past): These are specific to emotional pain or loss. Verschmerzen is often used for financial losses or minor disappointments. 'Den Verlust des Geldes konnte er leicht verschmerzen.' Ertragen is the state during the pain; these words are about the state after.

“Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker.”

Nietzsche’s famous quote relates to the concept of 'ertragen'—what we endure makes us stronger.

When comparing ertragen to tolerieren, remember that tolerieren is often a conscious choice of social or political stance, whereas ertragen is an involuntary emotional or physical necessity. You might tolerieren a different opinion, but you ertragen a migraine.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

While 'tragen' means to carry, adding 'er-' changes it to a psychological state. It's like saying you didn't just carry the bag, you 'carried it through' the whole journey.

발음 가이드

UK /ɛɐ̯ˈtʁaːɡn̩/

US /ɛrˈtʁɑɡən/

The stress is on the second syllable: er-TRA-gen.

라임이 맞는 단어

befragen beklagen besagen betragen erjagen nagen sagen wagen

자주 하는 실수

Stressing the first syllable (ER-tragen is wrong).
Pronouncing the 'er' like 'air' in English.
Making the 'a' too short (it should be long).
Dividing the word into two separate sounds (er-tragen) instead of a fluid transition.
Failing to pronounce the 'g' clearly.

난이도

독해 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'tragen'. Found in many texts.

쓰기 4/5

Requires knowledge of the vowel shift (a-ä) and the fact that it's inseparable.

말하기 4/5

Needs correct stress on the second syllable and correct conjugation.

듣기 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to hear.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

tragen der Schmerz laut heiß können

다음에 배울 것

vertragen aushalten erdulden die Belastung stoisch

고급

die Resilienz die Frustrationstoleranz unabänderlich das Verhängnis

알아야 할 문법

Inseparable Prefixes

er- is always attached. (Ich ertrage, NOT Ich trage er).

Strong Verb Vowel Shift

a -> ä in 2nd/3rd person singular present. (Du erträgst, Er erträgt).

Past Participle without 'ge-'

Inseparable verbs don't use 'ge-'. (Ich habe ertragen).

Transitive Verbs

Requires an accusative object. (Ich ertrage *den Lärm*).

Passive with 'sein + zu'

Das ist nicht zu ertragen. (That cannot be endured).

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수준별 예문

Ich kann das nicht ertragen.

I cannot bear that.

Simple present tense with modal verb 'kann'.

Erträgst du die Musik?

Do you stand the music?

Question form with vowel shift a -> ä.

Die Hitze ist groß, aber ich ertrage sie.

The heat is great, but I bear it.

Direct object 'sie' refers to 'die Hitze'.

Wir müssen den Lärm ertragen.

We must endure the noise.

Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive at the end.

Ich ertrage dich nicht!

I can't stand you!

Direct accusative object 'dich'.

Kannst du Schmerzen ertragen?

Can you endure pain?

Plural noun 'Schmerzen' as object.

Sie erträgt alles.

She endures everything.

3rd person singular with vowel shift.

Bitte, ertrage es noch kurz.

Please, bear it for a short while longer.

Imperative form (standard).

Ich habe den langen Flug gut ertragen.

I endured the long flight well.

Perfekt tense. No 'ge-' prefix.

Er erträgt seine Krankheit sehr tapfer.

He endures his illness very bravely.

Adverb 'tapfer' modifying the action.

Warum erträgst du diesen Job?

Why do you stand this job?

Question word 'Warum' + 'erträgst'.

Das Kind konnte die Dunkelheit nicht ertragen.

The child could not stand the darkness.

Präteritum of modal verb 'konnte'.

Wir haben die Kälte im Winter ertragen.

We endured the cold in winter.

Perfekt tense with 'haben'.

Erträgt sie die Situation?

Does she stand the situation?

Vowel shift in 3rd person singular.

Ich kann diesen Geruch nicht ertragen.

I cannot stand this smell.

Demonstrative pronoun 'diesen'.

Sie haben das Warten geduldig ertragen.

They endured the waiting patiently.

Adverb 'geduldig'.

Es ist schwer, die Einsamkeit zu ertragen.

It is hard to bear the loneliness.

Infinitiv mit 'zu'.

Früher ertrug man viele Entbehrungen.

In the past, people endured many hardships.

Präteritum 'ertrug' with indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Ich weiß nicht, wie lange ich das noch ertragen kann.

I don't know how long I can still stand this.

Subordinate clause with verb at the end.

Sie hat die Kritik ohne ein Wort ertragen.

She endured the criticism without a word.

Prepositional phrase 'ohne ein Wort'.

Manche Menschen können keinen Stress ertragen.

Some people cannot stand stress.

Negative article 'keinen'.

Diese Ungerechtigkeit ist kaum zu ertragen.

This injustice is hardly bearable.

'sein + zu + Infinitiv' (passive meaning).

Er hat viel Leid in seinem Leben ertragen müssen.

He had to endure a lot of suffering in his life.

Perfekt with modal verb (double infinitive).

Kannst du es ertragen, wenn ich gehe?

Can you bear it if I leave?

Placeholder 'es' referring to the 'wenn'-clause.

Die Last der Verantwortung war kaum zu ertragen.

The burden of responsibility was hardly bearable.

Abstract noun 'Verantwortung' as part of the subject.

Sie ertrug die Demütigung mit erhobenem Haupt.

She endured the humiliation with her head held high.

Idiomatic expression 'mit erhobenem Haupt'.

Es war unerträglich, die Wahrheit zu erfahren.

It was unbearable to find out the truth.

Adjective 'unerträglich' derived from the verb.

Wie ertragen die Soldaten diese extremen Bedingungen?

How do the soldiers endure these extreme conditions?

Interrogative sentence with plural subject.

Er hat die Schmerzen jahrelang schweigend ertragen.

He endured the pain for years in silence.

Participle I 'schweigend' used as an adverb.

Können wir diese Zustände wirklich noch länger ertragen?

Can we really endure these conditions any longer?

Rhetorical question.

Sie erträgt es nicht, wenn man sie anlügt.

She cannot stand it when people lie to her.

'ertragen' + 'es' + subordinate clause.

Er ertrug das Exil fern von seiner Heimat.

He endured the exile far from his homeland.

Präteritum 'ertrug'.

Die psychische Belastung war bis an die Grenze des Erträglichen gestiegen.

The psychological stress had risen to the limit of what is bearable.

Nominalized adjective 'des Erträglichen'.

Es gilt, die Spannung zwischen Ideal und Realität zu ertragen.

It is necessary to endure the tension between ideal and reality.

Fixed expression 'Es gilt... zu...'.

Manche Wahrheiten sind nur schwer zu ertragen.

Some truths are only difficult to bear.

Adverbial modification 'nur schwer'.

Er ertrug den Spott seiner Kollegen mit einer gewissen Arroganz.

He endured the mockery of his colleagues with a certain arrogance.

Genitive object 'seiner Kollegen'.

Die Stille im Raum war fast körperlich zu ertragen.

The silence in the room was almost physically palpable to endure.

Metaphorical use.

Sie haben die Tyrannei über Generationen hinweg ertragen.

They endured the tyranny over generations.

Temporal phrase 'über... hinweg'.

Könnte er den Verlust seiner Privilegien ertragen?

Could he endure the loss of his privileges?

Konjunktiv II 'Könnte'.

Das ist ein Schicksal, das man stoisch ertragen muss.

That is a fate that one must endure stoically.

Relative clause.

Die Unzulänglichkeit der menschlichen Existenz zu ertragen, ist ein zentrales Motiv.

To endure the inadequacy of human existence is a central motif.

Infinitive clause as subject.

Er ertrug die Qualen der Ungewissheit, ohne an seinem Ziel zu zweifeln.

He endured the torments of uncertainty without doubting his goal.

Complex sentence with 'ohne... zu...'.

In der Tragödie muss der Held sein Verhängnis bis zum bitteren Ende ertragen.

In the tragedy, the hero must endure his doom until the bitter end.

Literary context.

Es ist eine Kunst, das Unabänderliche mit Würde zu ertragen.

It is an art to endure the unchangeable with dignity.

Abstract nominalization 'das Unabänderliche'.

Die Kakofonie der Meinungen war kaum noch zu ertragen.

The cacophony of opinions was hardly bearable anymore.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'Kakofonie'.

Wie ließe sich ein solches Leid ohne Hoffnung ertragen?

How could such suffering be endured without hope?

Passive substitute with 'lassen' + 'sich' + infinitive.

Er hat das Martyrium für seine Überzeugungen ertragen.

He endured the martyrdom for his convictions.

Historical/Religious register.

Sie ertrug die bittere Ironie des Schicksals mit einem Lächeln.

She endured the bitter irony of fate with a smile.

Oxymoron/Irony in context.

자주 쓰는 조합

Schmerzen ertragen

Lärm ertragen

die Hitze ertragen

die Wahrheit ertragen

Leid ertragen

Kritik ertragen

Einsamkeit ertragen

Ungewissheit ertragen

Verantwortung ertragen

einen Verlust ertragen

자주 쓰는 구문

kaum zu ertragen

— Almost unbearable.

Der Gestank war kaum zu ertragen.

nicht mehr zu ertragen

— No longer bearable.

Diese Situation ist nicht mehr zu ertragen.

schwer zu ertragen

— Difficult to endure.

Seine Arroganz ist schwer zu ertragen.

stoisch ertragen

— To endure something without showing emotion.

Er ertrug die Beleidigung stoisch.

geduldig ertragen

— To endure something with patience.

Sie ertrug die Wartezeit geduldig.

schweigend ertragen

— To endure something in silence.

Er hat sein Schicksal schweigend ertragen.

tapfer ertragen

— To endure something bravely.

Das Kind ertrug die Spritze tapfer.

leicht zu ertragen

— Easy to bear (often used ironically).

Dieses Problem ist im Vergleich leicht zu ertragen.

nicht zu ertragen sein

— To be unbearable.

Du bist heute einfach nicht zu ertragen!

alles ertragen

— To endure everything/anything.

Für ihre Kinder würde sie alles ertragen.

자주 혼동되는 단어

ertragen vs vertragen

Means to tolerate a substance or get along with someone.

ertragen vs übertragen

Means to transfer, broadcast, or assign.

ertragen vs beauftragen

Means to give someone a task or order.

관용어 및 표현

"etwas mit Fassung ertragen"

— To bear something with composure.

Er ertrug die Niederlage mit Fassung.

formal

"die bittere Pille ertragen"

— To endure a 'bitter pill' (something unpleasant but necessary).

Wir müssen diese bittere Pille nun ertragen.

neutral

"ein notwendiges Übel ertragen"

— To endure a necessary evil.

Steuern sind ein notwendiges Übel, das wir ertragen müssen.

neutral

"sein Kreuz ertragen"

— To bear one's cross (religious origin, means personal burden).

Jeder hat sein Kreuz zu ertragen.

poetic/old-fashioned

"mit Ach und Krach ertragen"

— To barely manage to endure something.

Ich habe die Prüfung mit Ach und Krach ertragen.

informal

"Hohn und Spott ertragen"

— To endure ridicule and mockery.

Der Verlierer musste Hohn und Spott ertragen.

neutral

"die Konsequenzen ertragen"

— To bear the consequences.

Du musst die Konsequenzen deines Handelns ertragen.

neutral

"Wind und Wetter ertragen"

— To endure harsh weather conditions.

Die alten Bäume ertragen seit Jahren Wind und Wetter.

neutral

"die Last der Welt auf den Schultern ertragen"

— To bear the weight of the world on one's shoulders.

Er fühlt sich, als müsste er die Last der Welt ertragen.

poetic

"etwas wie ein Mann ertragen"

— To bear something 'like a man' (stoically).

Er ertrug den Schmerz wie ein Mann.

dated/informal

혼동하기 쉬운

ertragen vs vertragen

Same root verb 'tragen' and similar prefix length.

Vertragen is for compatibility (milk, people); Ertragen is for enduring suffering.

Ich vertrage keine Milch, aber ich ertrage diesen Hunger.

ertragen vs aushalten

Synonyms in many contexts.

Aushalten is more physical/external; Ertragen is more emotional/internal.

Ich halte den Druck aus, aber ich ertrage die Trauer nicht.

ertragen vs leiden

Both involve suffering.

Leiden is the state of suffering (intransitive); Ertragen is the act of bearing the suffering (transitive).

Er leidet an Krebs und muss große Schmerzen ertragen.

ertragen vs dulden

Both mean to tolerate.

Dulden is often about rules and permission; Ertragen is about personal capacity.

Der Chef duldet keine Fehler, aber er erträgt den Stress.

ertragen vs tragen

The base verb.

Tragen is literal (carrying a box); Ertragen is metaphorical (carrying a burden).

Ich trage den Koffer und ertrage die Reise.

문장 패턴

Ich kann [Objekt] nicht ertragen.

Ich kann den Lärm nicht ertragen.

Es ist schwer, [Objekt] zu ertragen.

Es ist schwer, die Wahrheit zu ertragen.

[Subjekt] hat [Objekt] tapfer ertragen.

Er hat die Schmerzen tapfer ertragen.

[Objekt] ist kaum zu ertragen.

Die Hitze ist kaum zu ertragen.

Wie [Subjekt] das nur erträgt!

Wie sie das nur erträgt!

[Subjekt] ertrug [Objekt] mit [Substantiv].

Sie ertrug die Kritik mit Fassung.

Ohne [Objekt] wäre es nicht zu ertragen.

Ohne dich wäre es nicht zu ertragen.

Das Maß des zu Ertragenden ist erreicht.

어휘 가족

명사

Erträglichkeit bearability

Unerträglichkeit unbearability

동사

tragen to carry

vertragen to tolerate/get along

beauftragen to commission

übertragen to transfer

형용사

erträglich bearable

unerträglich unbearable

사용법

frequency

Very frequent in both spoken and written German.

자주 하는 실수

Ich trage den Schmerz er. → Ich ertrage den Schmerz.
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable and should never be moved to the end of the sentence.
Ich habe den Lärm geertragen. → Ich habe den Lärm ertragen.
Inseparable verbs do not use 'ge-' in the past participle.
Er ertragt die Hitze. → Er erträgt die Hitze.
The verb 'ertragen' follows the strong verb pattern of 'tragen', so 'a' changes to 'ä' in the 3rd person singular.
Ich kann meinen Freund nicht vertragen. → Ich kann meinen Freund nicht ertragen.
If you mean you can't stand him emotionally, use 'ertragen'. 'Vertragen' means you don't get along or can't tolerate a substance.
Ich kann nicht ertragen. → Ich kann es nicht ertragen.
'Ertragen' is transitive and usually needs an object, even if it's just 'es'.

팁

No 'ge-' in Participle

Always remember that inseparable verbs like 'ertragen' do not take 'ge-' in the past participle. This is a common B1 exam pitfall.

Pair with 'kaum'

The word 'kaum' (hardly) is the best friend of 'ertragen'. 'Kaum zu ertragen' is a very native-sounding phrase.

Stress the Root

Focus your energy on the 'TRA' syllable. If you stress the 'ER', it will sound very foreign to German ears.

Don't confuse with 'vertragen'

If you want to say you can't drink milk, use 'vertragen'. If you want to say the milk tastes so bad it's painful, use 'ertragen'.

Use in Essays

When writing about social issues, 'ertragen' is a powerful word to describe the plight of marginalized groups.

Use with Modal Verbs

In 90% of cases, 'ertragen' is used with 'können' (can) or 'müssen' (must). Practice these combinations.

Contextual Clues

If you hear 'erträgt', look for a singular subject like 'er' or 'sie'. If you hear 'ertragen', it's either plural, infinitive, or past participle.

Stoic Mindset

Think of 'ertragen' as a stoic verb. It's about maintaining your core while external things are heavy.

The 'zu' construction

Mastering 'Das ist schwer zu ertragen' will make your German sound much more advanced (B2 level).

The 'er-' prefix

Remember that 'er-' often means 'reaching a goal'. You are 'carrying' (tragen) until you reach the goal of surviving the pain.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'ER' (Emergency Room). You go to the ER when you can no longer 'ertragen' (endure) the pain.

시각적 연상

Imagine a person carrying (tragen) a heavy 'ER' sign on their back through a storm. They are 'ER-tragen'.

Word Web

Schmerz Geduld Last Aushalten Gefühl Hitze Lärm Schicksal

챌린지

Try to write three things you find 'unerträglich' (unbearable) and three things you can 'ertragen' only with coffee.

어원

From Middle High German 'ertragen', consisting of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'tragen'. The prefix 'er-' often indicates the completion of an action or the reaching of a state.

원래 의미: To carry something out to the end, to sustain a load.

Germanic

문화적 맥락

Be careful using 'Ich ertrage dich nicht' (I can't stand you). It is much more personal and hurtful than 'Ich mag dich nicht' (I don't like you).

English often uses 'stand' or 'bear'. 'I can't stand it' is the perfect equivalent to 'Ich kann es nicht ertragen'.

Friedrich Nietzsche: 'Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker' (relates to endurance). Goethe's 'Die Leiden des jungen Werther' (The sufferings/endurance of Werther). Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning' (translated as '...trotzdem Ja zum Leben sagen' - about enduring the unthinkable).

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Weather

Die Hitze ertragen
Die Kälte ertragen
Das Wetter ist kaum zu ertragen
Sonne nicht ertragen

Health

Schmerzen ertragen
Die Übelkeit ertragen
Eine Krankheit ertragen
Tapfer ertragen

Social

Jemanden nicht ertragen können
Seine Art ertragen
Kritik ertragen
Spott ertragen

Psychology

Einsamkeit ertragen
Trauer ertragen
Ungewissheit ertragen
Druck ertragen

Philosophy

Sein Schicksal ertragen
Das Leid der Welt ertragen
Die Wahrheit ertragen
Existenz ertragen

대화 시작하기

"Welche Art von Wetter kannst du am wenigsten ertragen?"

"Gibt es eine Eigenschaft an Menschen, die du absolut nicht ertragen kannst?"

"Wie erträgst du normalerweise stressige Phasen bei der Arbeit?"

"Glaubst du, dass man lernen kann, mehr Schmerz zu ertragen?"

"Was war die längste Wartezeit, die du je ertragen musstest?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du sehr tapfer etwas ertragen hast. Was hat dir geholfen?

Gibt es ein Geräusch in deiner Stadt, das du kaum ertragen kannst? Warum?

Reflektiere über den Satz: 'Man muss die Wahrheit ertragen können.' Was bedeutet das für dich?

Schreibe über eine Person, die du bewunderst, weil sie viel im Leben ertragen hat.

Was ist für dich unerträglicher: extreme Hitze oder extreme Kälte? Begründe deine Meinung.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, 'ertragen' is inseparable. The 'er-' prefix always stays with the root 'tragen'. You say 'Ich ertrage' and 'Ich habe ertragen'.

'Aushalten' is often used for physical stressors like cold or noise, and it's more common in informal speech. 'Ertragen' is used for deeper emotional burdens and is slightly more formal.

Yes, it is a strong verb. In the present tense singular (du/er/sie/es), the 'a' changes to 'ä'. Example: 'Er erträgt'.

The adjective is 'unerträglich'. You can use it like this: 'Der Lärm ist unerträglich'.

Yes, but it's quite strong. 'Ich ertrage ihn nicht' means 'I can't stand him' and implies he is a significant burden to your well-being.

The Präteritum is 'ertrug' and the Perfekt is 'hat ertragen'.

The most common related noun is 'Erträglichkeit' (bearability), but you often see the nominalized infinitive 'das Ertragen'.

Almost never. It is fundamentally about dealing with something negative. You wouldn't 'ertragen' a delicious meal.

It takes the accusative case (Akkusativ). 'Ich ertrage den (Akk) Schmerz'.

'Erdulden' is a synonym but much more formal and often used in religious or poetic contexts.

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