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B2 noun 12분 분량

la tolérance

예시 la tolérance 30초 만에
설명 la tolérance in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that 'la tolérance' means 'tolerance'. It is a big, important word that looks like the English word. You might see it on posters or in simple stories about being kind to others. At this level, you only need to remember that it is a feminine noun ('la') and it is about being nice to people who are different from you. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'La tolérance est bonne' (Tolerance is good). You don't need to worry about the medical or technical meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of being a good friend and neighbor. It is a 'grand mot' (big word) for a beginner, but it is very useful because it is a value that people talk about a lot in France. You might hear a teacher say 'Faites attention, un peu de tolérance s'il vous plaît!' when students are being noisy or mean to each other.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'la tolérance' with some basic verbs. You should learn the expression 'avoir de la tolérance' (to have tolerance). You can describe people using the adjective form: 'Il est tolérant' (He is tolerant) or 'Elle est tolérante' (She is tolerant). You might use this word when talking about your family or your school. For example, 'Mon père est très tolérant avec mes notes' (My father is very tolerant with my grades). You can also understand it in simple signs or public service announcements. You are starting to see that it is not just about being 'nice', but about allowing things to happen. You might also encounter it in simple health contexts, like 'la tolérance au sucre' (sugar tolerance), though the social meaning is still more common for you at this stage. Remember to always use the feminine 'la' or 'une' with this noun.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'la tolérance' in more complex discussions about society and personal values. You should move away from 'avoir de la tolérance' and start using the more idiomatic 'faire preuve de tolérance' (to show/demonstrate tolerance). You can also use prepositions correctly: 'la tolérance envers les autres' (tolerance towards others). At this level, you might read short articles about social issues where this word appears frequently. You should also be aware of the concept of 'le seuil de tolérance' (the tolerance threshold), which you can use to talk about things like noise or stress. For example, 'Mon seuil de tolérance au bruit est assez bas' (My noise tolerance threshold is quite low). You are now expected to understand the word in different contexts, including its role as a fundamental value in French culture and education. You can participate in a debate and say why tolerance is important for a community.
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At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you must master the nuances of 'la tolérance'. You should understand its historical importance in France, specifically in the context of the Enlightenment and the 'Traité sur la tolérance' by Voltaire. You should be able to use it in professional, academic, and technical contexts. This includes understanding 'la tolérance zéro' in politics, 'la tolérance aux médicaments' in medicine, and 'la marge de tolérance' in engineering or statistics. You should be able to distinguish 'la tolérance' from similar words like 'l'indulgence', 'la clémence', or 'l'acceptation'. Your usage should be precise, using the correct prepositions ('envers', 'pour', 'à') depending on the situation. You can write essays or give presentations where you analyze the limits of tolerance in a democratic society. You understand that the word often implies a conscious effort to permit something that one might personally dislike or disagree with.
At the C1 level, your understanding of 'la tolérance' should be sophisticated and deeply contextualized. You can discuss the philosophical paradoxes of tolerance (e.g., the 'paradox of tolerance' where a tolerant society must not tolerate intolerance). You use the word in high-level academic writing and formal oratory. You are familiar with its historical evolution from a religious concept to a secular, republican value. You can use it metaphorically or in very specific technical domains without hesitation. You might analyze literary texts where tolerance is a central theme, noting how the word's meaning has shifted over centuries. You are also sensitive to the potential criticisms of the word in modern discourse—for example, the idea that 'tolerance' is a form of 'condescending permission' rather than true equality. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use alternatives like 'la mansuétude' or 'la permissivité' when appropriate to provide even finer shades of meaning.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'la tolérance' and all its connotations. You can use the word with absolute precision in any domain, from quantum physics (technical tolerances) to constitutional law. You are aware of the rarest uses of the word, such as the historical 'maisons de tolérance'. You can engage in complex philosophical debates about the limits of the state's tolerance in a secular society (laïcité). You can play with the word in creative writing, using its various meanings to create puns or deep metaphors. You understand the political weight the word carries in different French-speaking countries and how it might be perceived differently in Quebec vs. France vs. Senegal. You can effortlessly switch between the social, medical, and technical meanings in a single conversation, maintaining perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic elegance. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' for you; it is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal.
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예시

la tolérance 30초 만에

  • A feminine noun meaning tolerance, used for social acceptance, medical endurance, and technical margins of error in various formal and informal contexts.
  • Commonly paired with the expression 'faire preuve de' and prepositions like 'envers' (for people) or 'à' (for physical sensations and substances).
  • Deeply rooted in French Enlightenment history, it is considered a core republican value associated with secularism and mutual respect in society.
  • Can also mean 'zero tolerance' (tolérance zéro) in law or 'tolerance threshold' (seuil de tolérance) in psychology or physics.

The French word la tolérance is a multifaceted noun that primarily translates to "tolerance" in English. At its core, it represents the capacity or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. However, its usage in French extends far beyond mere social acceptance. It is a concept deeply rooted in French history, particularly the Enlightenment era, where thinkers like Voltaire championed it as a fundamental pillar of a civilized society. When you use this word today, you might be referring to a social virtue, a medical phenomenon, or a technical specification in engineering.

Social and Philosophical Context
In social discourse, it refers to the respect for the freedom, beliefs, and practices of others. It is often discussed in the context of laïcité (secularism) in France, where the state maintains a position of neutrality to ensure the peaceful coexistence of different faiths and ideologies. To show tolerance is to accept diversity without necessarily endorsing every viewpoint.

Le respect et la tolérance sont les piliers de notre démocratie moderne.

Medical and Biological Usage
In a biological sense, it describes the body's ability to endure a substance or a condition. For instance, la tolérance au glucose refers to how the body processes sugar, while drug tolerance describes how a patient might require higher doses of a medication over time to achieve the same effect. It is a neutral, scientific term in this context.

Le patient a développé une tolérance élevée à ce traitement spécifique.

Technical and Mechanical Precision
In engineering and manufacturing, it refers to the permissible limit or limits of variation in a physical dimension or a measured value. If a part is manufactured within the marge de tolérance, it is considered acceptable even if it is not perfectly identical to the blueprint. This technical nuance is vital for students in STEM fields.

La pièce doit être usinée avec une tolérance de moins d'un millimètre.

Historically, the concept of tolerance in France was famously debated during the Wars of Religion. The Edict of Nantes (1598) was a landmark document of tolerance, granting rights to Protestants in a Catholic-majority country. Later, Voltaire's "Treatise on Tolerance" (1763) became a seminal text, arguing that religious fanaticism is a disease and that mutual acceptance is the only cure. This historical baggage makes the word feel very formal and significant in French culture. It is not just a word; it is a republican value.

Il prône une tolérance zéro envers toute forme de discrimination.

In summary, whether you are discussing human rights, medical dosages, or the precision of a clockwork mechanism, la tolérance is the word you need. It encapsulates the idea of a margin—be it a margin of error, a margin of acceptance, or a margin of physical endurance. Understanding its broad reach will help you navigate both casual conversations and specialized professional environments in the French-speaking world.

Using la tolérance correctly requires an understanding of its typical grammatical structures and the prepositions that usually follow it. In its most common social sense, we often talk about tolerance envers (towards) or pour (for) someone or something. The choice of preposition can slightly change the tone, where envers feels more formal and directed towards a group or a concept, while pour is often used in more general or abstract contexts.

Common Verb Pairings
The most frequent verb used with this noun is faire preuve de (to show or demonstrate). You don't just 'have' tolerance; you 'make proof of' it. Other common verbs include prôner (to advocate for), manquer de (to lack), and développer (to develop, especially in medical contexts).

Nous devons faire preuve de tolérance envers les opinions divergentes.

Abstract vs. Concrete Usage
When referring to the abstract virtue, the article 'la' is used generically. When referring to a specific instance or a measurable amount, you might use 'une'. For example, "La tolérance est essentielle" (Tolerance is essential) vs "Il y a une tolérance de deux millimètres" (There is a tolerance of two millimeters).

L'association prône la tolérance religieuse à travers ses ateliers.

In the realm of law and policy, you will frequently encounter the expression tolérance zéro. This is a direct translation of the English "zero tolerance" and is used in exactly the same way to describe a policy that allows for no exceptions or deviations from a rule. It is commonly heard in political speeches regarding crime or school discipline. Conversely, a seuil de tolérance (tolerance threshold) refers to the point beyond which something can no longer be accepted or endured, whether it is noise, pain, or social behavior.

Prepositional Nuances
Use 'à' when referring to the capacity to withstand something physical: 'tolérance à la douleur' (pain tolerance). Use 'envers' for people or ideologies: 'tolérance envers autrui' (tolerance towards others). Use 'de' for technical measurements: 'une tolérance de fabrication' (manufacturing tolerance).

Mon seuil de tolérance au bruit est très bas le matin.

Finally, consider the adjective form tolérant (masculine) and tolérante (feminine). While the noun describes the concept, the adjective describes the person. "C'est un professeur très tolérant" (He is a very tolerant teacher). Using the noun in phrases like "Il a beaucoup de tolérance" is slightly more formal than simply saying "Il est tolérant." In academic writing, the noun is preferred for its objective and analytical tone. Whether you are writing an essay on human rights or a lab report on chemical reactions, mastering these patterns will ensure your French sounds natural and precise.

Les ingénieurs ont vérifié la tolérance thermique des matériaux.

In everyday life in France, la tolérance is a word that appears in high-stakes environments. You are most likely to hear it on the evening news (le journal de 20h) during debates about social cohesion, immigration, or religious freedom. It is a central term in the French political vocabulary, often linked to the values of the Republic: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. Politicians from across the spectrum use it to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in a diverse society.

In the Education System
In French schools (l'école républicaine), tolerance is taught as a civic duty. You will see posters in classrooms promoting 'la tolérance et le respect d'autrui'. Teachers might use the word when mediating conflicts between students, reminding them that everyone has the right to their own identity and beliefs.

Le programme scolaire met l'accent sur l'éducation à la tolérance.

In Professional and Technical Settings
If you work in a technical field like construction, aviation, or manufacturing, you will hear this word daily. It refers to the 'margin of error'. A foreman might say, "On n'a aucune tolérance sur cette mesure," meaning the measurement must be perfect. In medicine, doctors discuss 'la tolérance aux médicaments' when evaluating how a patient's body reacts to long-term prescriptions.

Cette machine exige une tolérance extrêmement fine pour fonctionner.

In the world of sports, you might hear commentators talk about a referee's 'seuil de tolérance'—the level of physical play they allow before blowing the whistle. If a game is getting rough, a commentator might say, "L'arbitre a baissé son seuil de tolérance," indicating that yellow cards are likely to follow. Similarly, in traffic law, there is a marge de tolérance for speed cameras. If the limit is 130 km/h, the camera might only trigger at 135 km/h to account for minor speedometer inaccuracies.

Les radars automatiques appliquent une tolérance technique de 5 %.

Socially, you will hear it in discussions about 'le vivre-ensemble' (living together). It is a buzzword in French media when discussing how different communities interact. When a neighborhood is described as 'un exemple de tolérance', it implies a peaceful and diverse area. Conversely, 'l'intolérance' is a heavy accusation, often used to condemn hate speech or discriminatory behavior. By listening for the context—whether it's a political debate, a medical consultation, or a technical manual—you can accurately pinpoint which flavor of 'tolérance' is being discussed.

While la tolérance looks and sounds like its English counterpart, learners often fall into several traps regarding its grammatical usage and subtle semantic differences. One of the most frequent errors involves the use of articles and prepositions. English speakers often want to say "He has tolerance," translating it literally as "Il a la tolérance." In French, this sounds incomplete or awkward. As mentioned before, the standard idiomatic expression is faire preuve de tolérance.

Confusion with 'Acceptation'
A common mistake is using tolérance when acceptation (acceptance) is more appropriate. Tolerance implies enduring something you might not like, while acceptance suggests a more positive or neutral embrace. If you are happy about a situation, don't say you 'tolerate' it; say you 'accept' it.

Incorrect: Je fais preuve de tolérance pour mon nouveau salaire. (Unless you hate the salary but are putting up with it!)

The Preposition Trap
Learners often use 'à' for everything. While 'tolérance à la douleur' is correct for physical pain, you cannot say 'tolérance à mes amis'. For people, you must use 'envers'. Saying 'tolérance à mes amis' would sound like your friends are a toxic substance your body is trying to resist!

Correct: Il a une grande tolérance envers les erreurs des autres.

Another mistake is overusing the word in informal contexts. In English, we might say "I have no tolerance for that" to mean "I'm fed up." In French, using la tolérance in a casual argument with a friend can sound overly dramatic or academic. Instead of saying "Je n'ai aucune tolérance pour tes mensonges," a native speaker might say "Je ne supporte plus tes mensonges" or "J'en ai marre de tes mensonges." Save la tolérance for discussions of values, science, or formal rules.

Spelling and Gender
In French, the word is spelled with an 'é' (accent aigu) and ends in '-ance'. It is always feminine. Some learners forget the accent or try to make it masculine because 'le respect' (a related concept) is masculine. Always remember: 'LA tolérance'.

La tolérance zéro est appliquée strictement ici.

Finally, be careful with the technical term marge de tolérance. In English, we often just say "margin of error" or "leeway." In French, if you are talking about a physical measurement, marge de tolérance is the precise term. Using marge d'erreur is also common, but they are not always interchangeable in engineering contexts. The 'tolérance' is the allowed range, while the 'erreur' is the actual deviation. Keeping these distinctions in mind will elevate your French from functional to sophisticated.

To truly master the semantic field of la tolérance, it is helpful to look at its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the context—whether you are talking about kindness, legal leniency, or simple endurance—there might be a better word to express your exact meaning. French is a language of nuance, and choosing the right synonym can change the entire feel of a sentence.

L'Indulgence vs. La Tolérance
While la tolérance is often a neutral or philosophical stance, l'indulgence implies a certain level of kindness or forgiveness. You show tolerance to a different religion, but you show indulgence to a child who has made a mistake. Indulgence is warmer and more personal.

Le juge a fait preuve d'indulgence, mais la loi exige de la tolérance.

La Clémence
This is a very formal synonym, often used in legal or historical contexts. It refers to the mercy shown by someone in power. A king might show clémence to a rebel. It is much more specific than the general concept of tolerance.

L'ouverture d'esprit facilite la tolérance culturelle.

L'Endurance
In a physical or medical sense, l'endurance is a close relative of la tolérance. However, endurance usually refers to the ability to keep going through effort (like a marathon), whereas tolerance refers to the body's ability to not react negatively to a specific stimulus (like a drug or heat).

When discussing social issues, you might also use le respect or l'ouverture d'esprit (open-mindedness). These terms are often more positive than tolerance. In modern French discourse, some critics argue that 'tolerance' is too passive, suggesting that we should aim for 'inclusion' or 'celebration of diversity' instead. By using l'inclusion, you move from just 'allowing' someone to exist to actively 'including' them in the group. Understanding these subtle shifts in vocabulary will help you participate more effectively in contemporary French conversations.

Il faut passer de la simple tolérance à une véritable inclusion.

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수준별 예문

1

La tolérance est importante pour la paix.

Tolerance is important for peace.

Notice the use of 'la' because 'tolérance' is feminine.

2

Il faut avoir de la tolérance.

One must have tolerance.

The partitive article 'de la' is used here with the abstract noun.

3

Ma mère est un exemple de tolérance.

My mother is an example of tolerance.

A simple 'de' links 'exemple' and 'tolérance'.

4

La tolérance commence à la maison.

Tolerance begins at home.

The verb 'commence' agrees with the singular subject.

5

J'apprends la tolérance à l'école.

I am learning tolerance at school.

The definite article 'la' is used for a general concept.

6

C'est une grande tolérance.

It is a great tolerance.

The adjective 'grande' must be feminine to match the noun.

7

Nous aimons la tolérance.

We love tolerance.

Verbs of preference like 'aimer' usually take the definite article.

8

La tolérance est une vertu.

Tolerance is a virtue.

A simple subject-verb-complement structure.

1

Il est très tolérant avec ses amis.

He is very tolerant with his friends.

Using the adjective 'tolérant' instead of the noun.

2

Elle montre beaucoup de tolérance.

She shows a lot of tolerance.

'Beaucoup de' is always followed by 'de' without an article.

3

La tolérance religieuse est nécessaire.

Religious tolerance is necessary.

The adjective 'religieuse' is feminine to match 'tolérance'.

4

Il n'a aucune tolérance pour le retard.

He has no tolerance for lateness.

'Aucune' is the feminine form of 'aucun'.

5

Nous parlons de la tolérance en classe.

We are talking about tolerance in class.

'Parler de' + 'la tolérance' = 'parler de la tolérance'.

6

C'est un pays de tolérance.

It is a country of tolerance.

The preposition 'de' indicates a quality here.

7

La tolérance aide à vivre ensemble.

Tolerance helps in living together.

'Aider à' is the correct construction for the verb 'aider'.

8

Le professeur demande de la tolérance.

The teacher asks for tolerance.

'Demander' + 'de la' (some) tolerance.

1

Il faut faire preuve de tolérance envers autrui.

One must show tolerance towards others.

The expression 'faire preuve de' takes no article before the noun.

2

Mon seuil de tolérance au bruit est limité.

My noise tolerance threshold is limited.

'Seuil de tolérance' is a common compound noun phrase.

3

La tolérance est une valeur républicaine en France.

Tolerance is a republican value in France.

Adjectives like 'républicaine' follow the noun they modify.

4

Ils ont manifesté pour la tolérance et la paix.

They demonstrated for tolerance and peace.

The preposition 'pour' indicates the purpose of the action.

5

Elle a développé une tolérance à ce médicament.

She developed a tolerance to this medication.

In a medical context, use 'tolérance à'.

6

La tolérance permet de mieux comprendre les autres.

Tolerance allows for better understanding of others.

'Permettre de' is followed by an infinitive verb.

7

C'est une question de tolérance mutuelle.

It is a question of mutual tolerance.

The adjective 'mutuelle' agrees with 'tolérance'.

8

Le manque de tolérance crée des conflits.

The lack of tolerance creates conflicts.

'Le manque de' is a standard way to express 'the lack of'.

1

Le gouvernement prône la tolérance zéro face au crime.

The government advocates zero tolerance towards crime.

'Tolérance zéro' is used as a fixed compound noun.

2

La pièce a été usinée avec une tolérance d'un micron.

The part was machined with a tolerance of one micron.

Technical usage indicating a margin of error.

3

Voltaire a écrit un traité célèbre sur la tolérance.

Voltaire wrote a famous treatise on tolerance.

The preposition 'sur' indicates the subject of the book.

4

Sa tolérance à l'effort physique est impressionnante.

His tolerance for physical effort is impressive.

'Tolérance à' is used for physical endurance/capacity.

5

L'éducation doit favoriser la tolérance envers les minorités.

Education must favor tolerance towards minorities.

'Envers' is the preferred preposition for groups of people.

6

Il existe une certaine tolérance administrative pour ce type d'erreur.

There is a certain administrative tolerance for this type of error.

Refers to a 'blind eye' or allowed deviation in rules.

7

La tolérance ne doit pas être confondue avec la faiblesse.

Tolerance must not be confused with weakness.

Passive voice: 'être confondue' (feminine agreement).

8

Le seuil de tolérance à la douleur varie selon les individus.

The pain tolerance threshold varies among individuals.

A complex subject with multiple prepositional phrases.

1

Le paradoxe de la tolérance suggère que l'on ne peut tolérer l'intolérance.

The paradox of tolerance suggests that one cannot tolerate intolerance.

A sophisticated use of the noun and related concepts.

2

L'édit de Nantes fut un jalon historique de la tolérance religieuse.

The Edict of Nantes was a historical milestone of religious tolerance.

Historical reference using the passé simple 'fut'.

3

L'élasticité du matériau offre une marge de tolérance structurelle.

The elasticity of the material offers a structural tolerance margin.

Highly technical use of the term in engineering.

4

La tolérance peut parfois masquer une indifférence polie.

Tolerance can sometimes mask a polite indifference.

Critical philosophical perspective on the term.

5

Il a été radié pour avoir outrepassé les limites de la tolérance déontologique.

He was struck off for exceeding the limits of ethical tolerance.

Professional/legal context regarding codes of conduct.

6

La tolérance immunitaire est un mécanisme biologique complexe.

Immune tolerance is a complex biological mechanism.

Specific biological term for the immune system not attacking itself.

7

Son discours oscillait entre la tolérance et la complaisance.

His speech wavered between tolerance and complacency.

Nuanced comparison between two similar but different concepts.

8

Les maisons de tolérance appartenaient à une époque révolue de l'histoire urbaine.

Brothels belonged to a bygone era of urban history.

Archaic use of the term in a historical context.

1

La tolérance, loin d'être un simple acquiescement, requiert une ascèse intellectuelle.

Tolerance, far from being a simple acquiescence, requires an intellectual asceticism.

High-level literary style with complex subordinate clauses.

2

L'herméneutique de la tolérance invite à une relecture des textes sacrés.

The hermeneutics of tolerance invites a rereading of sacred texts.

Academic terminology ('herméneutique').

3

L'ajustement des pièces mécaniques s'effectue au sein d'un intervalle de tolérance infinitésimal.

The adjustment of mechanical parts is carried out within an infinitesimal tolerance interval.

Extremely precise technical description.

4

L'ambiguïté de la tolérance réside dans sa tension entre le droit et la morale.

The ambiguity of tolerance lies in its tension between law and morality.

Abstract philosophical analysis.

5

La tolérance fiscale est souvent perçue comme une incitation à l'évasion.

Tax tolerance is often perceived as an incentive for evasion.

Economic/political context with passive voice.

6

L'érosion de la tolérance sociale menace la cohésion nationale.

The erosion of social tolerance threatens national cohesion.

Metaphorical use of 'érosion'.

7

Il prône une tolérance active qui transcende la simple coexistence pacifique.

He advocates an active tolerance that transcends simple peaceful coexistence.

Advanced use of 'transcender' and adjective placement.

8

La tolérance métabolique aux toxines varie considérablement d'une espèce à l'autre.

Metabolic tolerance to toxins varies considerably from one species to another.

Scientific precision in biological description.

자주 쓰는 조합

faire preuve de tolérance
tolérance zéro
seuil de tolérance
marge de tolérance
tolérance religieuse
tolérance aux médicaments
manquer de tolérance
prôner la tolérance
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