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A2 adjective #3,500 mais comum 10 min de leitura

tolerant

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas tolerant em 30 segundos

Explicação tolerant in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'tolerant' is a useful word because it is almost the same as in English. You can use it in very simple sentences to describe people. For example, 'Mein Freund ist tolerant' (My friend is tolerant). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that it describes a person who is nice and accepts other people. You might use it when talking about your family or your teacher. It is a 'positive' adjective, like 'nett' (nice) or 'freundlich' (friendly). Even if you don't know many other words, 'tolerant' helps you express a complex idea about someone's personality very easily. You should focus on the basic pronunciation: 'to-le-RANT'. Think of it as a way to say someone is 'open' to others. In A1, we focus on the nominative case. 'Er ist tolerant.' 'Sie ist tolerant.' 'Das Kind ist tolerant.' It doesn't change here! This makes it one of the easiest adjectives to start using in your first German conversations. You can also use it to describe yourself: 'Ich bin ein toleranter Mensch.' (Wait, that 'er' at the end of 'toleranter' is for A2, but it's good to see it early!). Just stick to 'Ich bin tolerant' for now. It's a great word for your first 'Who am I?' introduction in class.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'tolerant' with more detail. You learn that 'tolerant' often needs a partner: the preposition 'gegenüber'. This allows you to say what you are tolerant about. For example, 'Ich bin tolerant gegenüber anderen Meinungen' (I am tolerant toward other opinions). You also start to learn adjective endings. This is where it gets a bit tricky! If you say 'a tolerant man,' you must say 'ein toleranter Mann.' If you say 'the tolerant woman,' it's 'die tolerante Frau.' At A2, you are expected to describe people and social situations in more depth. 'Tolerant' is perfect for this. You might use it in a module about 'Living together' or 'Travel.' You can compare people using 'toleranter' (more tolerant). 'Meine Mutter ist toleranter als mein Vater.' This level is about making your sentences longer and more specific. You should also be able to recognize the opposite: 'intolerant.' If someone is 'intolerant,' they are narrow-minded. A2 learners should practice using 'tolerant' in the context of hobbies or food, like being tolerant of different tastes. It's a key word for social interaction in a German-speaking environment.

By B1, you should be able to use 'tolerant' in discussions about society, culture, and work. You are no longer just saying 'he is tolerant'; you are discussing 'tolerantes Verhalten' (tolerant behavior) or 'eine tolerante Atmosphäre' (a tolerant atmosphere). At this level, you should be comfortable with all adjective endings in all cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive). For example, 'Wegen seines toleranten Charakters hat er viele Freunde' (Because of his tolerant character, he has many friends - Genitive). You will also encounter 'tolerant' in reading texts about German history or current events. You should understand the nuance between being 'tolerant' and being 'gleichgültig' (indifferent). B1 students often have to write short essays or give presentations. Using 'tolerant' correctly in a presentation about 'Multikulturalismus' or 'Inklusion' shows a good command of the language. You should also start using the noun 'die Toleranz.' For example, 'Toleranz ist wichtig für den Frieden.' This allows you to speak more abstractly about values. You might also see it in professional contexts, like 'Fehlertoleranz' (tolerance for errors) in a technical manual or a business meeting.

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At B2, you are expected to use 'tolerant' with a high degree of precision and to understand its philosophical implications. You might discuss the 'Paradoxon der Toleranz' (The Paradox of Tolerance) by Karl Popper—the idea that a society that is tolerant without limit will eventually be destroyed by the intolerant. This requires using the word in complex, multi-clause sentences. You should be able to use 'tolerant' adverbially with ease: 'Die Regierung ging tolerant mit den Protesten um' (The government dealt with the protests tolerantly). You will also learn more sophisticated synonyms like 'nachsichtig,' 'duldsam,' or 'liberal' and know exactly when to use 'tolerant' instead of them. At B2, your vocabulary should be rich enough to discuss the limits of tolerance. For example, 'Wo endet die Toleranz?' (Where does tolerance end?). You will hear this word in sophisticated podcasts, read it in 'Der Spiegel' or 'Die Zeit,' and be expected to use it in debates about ethics, politics, and social norms. You should also be aware of its use in scientific contexts, such as 'Glukosetoleranz' or 'Stresstoleranz,' where it refers to a biological capacity rather than a social attitude.

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At the C1 level, 'tolerant' is a word you use with stylistic flair. You understand the subtle connotations it carries in different registers. You might use it in a legal context to discuss 'religiöse Toleranz' as defined by the German constitution. You are capable of using the word in the superlative and comparative within complex structures: 'Es ist eine der am wenigsten toleranten Entscheidungen, die man sich vorstellen kann.' You can also use it in fixed expressions and idioms. Your understanding of 'tolerant' extends to its role in German literature and philosophy (e.g., Lessing's 'Ringparabel'). You can analyze how the meaning of 'Toleranz' has shifted from 'grudgingly allowing' to 'actively respecting.' In professional C1 environments, you might use 'tolerant' to describe system architectures ('ausfallsicher und tolerant gegenüber Fehlkonfigurationen'). You are expected to have a 'native-like' feel for the word, knowing that while 'tolerant' is common, sometimes a more specific word like 'weltoffen' (cosmopolitan/open to the world) is more appropriate for the image you want to project. You can lead a discussion on how 'Toleranz' interacts with other values like 'Zivilcourage' (civil courage).

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'tolerant' and its entire word family. You can use it in highly academic or literary contexts. You might write a thesis-level argument about the 'socio-political dimensions of tolerance in the digital age' (soziopolitische Dimensionen der Toleranz im digitalen Zeitalter). You understand every possible technical application, from 'Ambitoleranz' in psychology to 'Toleranzbereiche' in precision engineering. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You can play with the word's nuances, perhaps using it ironically or in a very specific rhetorical way. You understand the historical development of the word from its Latin roots through the Middle Ages to the present day. You can discuss the works of philosophers like Rainer Forst, who has written extensively on the concept of 'Toleranz' in German. At this level, 'tolerant' is just one tool in a massive cabinet of linguistic instruments, and you know exactly when it is the most powerful choice. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word in others' speech, and you can translate complex English texts involving the word 'tolerant' into German with all the necessary cultural and contextual adjustments.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

tolerant em 30 segundos

Tolerant is an A2-level German adjective meaning 'tolerant' or 'open-minded,' used to describe people who respect diversity and different viewpoints without judgment.
Grammatically, it requires standard adjective endings when used before nouns and is frequently paired with the preposition 'gegenüber' followed by the dative case.
Culturally, it is a highly valued trait in Germany, often associated with democratic principles, social harmony, and the historical lessons of the Enlightenment.
Common synonyms include 'aufgeschlossen' (open-minded) and 'liberal,' while its direct opposite is 'intolerant,' used to describe narrow-mindedness or prejudice.

The German adjective tolerant is a linguistic bridge between Latin roots and modern social values. At its core, it describes a person's capacity to accept, endure, or respect opinions, behaviors, or identities that differ from their own. While the English word 'tolerant' often carries a slight connotation of 'putting up with something,' the German tolerant is frequently viewed through the lens of the Enlightenment (die Aufklärung), specifically the works of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. In a modern German context, being tolerant is considered a fundamental civic virtue, essential for the functioning of a pluralistic society.

Social Acceptance: In daily life, Germans use 'tolerant' to describe someone who doesn't judge others for their lifestyle choices, such as dietary habits, religious affiliations, or political leanings. It is the opposite of 'engstirnig' (narrow-minded).
Political Context: Politically, the term is used to describe laws or states that protect minorities. You will often hear the phrase 'eine tolerante Gesellschaft' (a tolerant society) in news broadcasts discussing immigration or LGBTQ+ rights.
Personal Character: When describing a friend, saying 'Er ist sehr tolerant' implies that he is easy-going and doesn't get easily offended by different viewpoints. It suggests a level of intellectual maturity and emotional stability.

Berlin gilt weltweit als eine sehr tolerante Stadt, in der jeder so leben kann, wie er möchte.
— Common cultural observation

To truly understand 'tolerant,' one must look at its historical weight in Germany. Post-WWII Germany placed a significant emphasis on 'Toleranz' as a safeguard against extremism. Therefore, when a German says someone is 'tolerant,' they are often giving a high compliment regarding that person's democratic values. It isn't just about being 'nice'; it's about the active preservation of diversity within a community.

Meine Eltern sind zum Glück sehr tolerant gegenüber meinen neuen Ideen.

In a medical or technical sense, 'tolerant' can also appear, though less frequently in casual conversation. For instance, 'laktosetolerant' describes the ability to digest lactose. However, in 95% of cases, you will be using this word to describe social attitudes. It is an A2 level word because its meaning is nearly identical to the English 'tolerant,' making it an 'easy win' for learners, yet its application in German sentence structures requires attention to adjective endings.

Wir müssen lernen, tolerant miteinander umzugehen, auch wenn wir uns uneinig sind.

Religious Tolerance: Religiöse Toleranz is a frequent topic in German ethics classes (Ethikunterricht). It refers to the peaceful coexistence of different faiths.

Ein toleranter Umgang mit Fehlern fördert die Kreativität im Team.

Using 'tolerant' in German requires understanding two main things: the preposition it pairs with and the adjective declension rules. Most commonly, 'tolerant' is paired with the preposition gegenüber, which always takes the dative case. This allows you to specify exactly what or who is being tolerated.

The 'gegenüber' Construction: Structure: [Person] + [sein] + [tolerant] + gegenüber + [Dative Object]. Example: 'Sie ist tolerant gegenüber anderen Religionen.' (She is tolerant toward other religions.)
Adverbial Use: You can also use 'tolerant' to describe how an action is performed. Example: 'Der Chef reagierte tolerant auf die Verspätung.' (The boss reacted tolerantly to the delay.)

Es ist wichtig, tolerant gegenüber neuen Kulturen zu sein, wenn man viel reist.

When 'tolerant' is used as an attributive adjective (placed directly before a noun), it must match the gender, number, and case of that noun. For example, in the nominative masculine form with an indefinite article, it becomes 'ein toleranter Vater.' In the feminine, 'eine tolerante Mutter.' Understanding these endings is crucial for A2 and B1 learners who want to move beyond simple 'Subject-Verb-Adjective' sentences.

Wir brauchen eine tolerante Lösung für dieses Problem.

In formal writing, such as an essay or a cover letter, 'tolerant' can be used to describe a work environment. You might write: 'Ich schätze ein tolerantes Arbeitsklima, in dem verschiedene Meinungen gehört werden.' This demonstrates not only your vocabulary but also your understanding of professional German values. Furthermore, you can use the comparative and superlative forms: 'toleranter' (more tolerant) and 'am tolerantesten' (most tolerant).

Comparative Form: 'Die junge Generation ist oft toleranter als die ältere.' (The younger generation is often more tolerant than the older one.)
Superlative Form: 'Welches Land ist am tolerantesten?' (Which country is the most tolerant?)

In einer toleranten Gesellschaft hat Diskriminierung keinen Platz.

You will encounter the word tolerant in a variety of settings, ranging from political talk shows on ARD and ZDF to casual conversations in a 'Wohngemeinschaft' (shared apartment). In Germany, the concept of tolerance is a cornerstone of the 'Grundgesetz' (Basic Law), so it frequently appears in legal and social discussions.

In the News: Journalists use 'tolerant' when reporting on festivals like 'Christopher Street Day' or when discussing how cities handle rising diversity. You might hear: 'Die Stadt zeigt sich heute von ihrer tolerantesten Seite.'
In Education: Teachers use it to encourage students to respect each other. A common school slogan in Germany is 'Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage,' which heavily emphasizes being 'tolerant.'

Die Talkshow-Gäste diskutierten darüber, wie tolerant Deutschland wirklich ist.

Another place you'll hear it is in the context of parenting and family. German parents often strive to be 'tolerant' regarding their children's career choices or partners. If a teenager comes home with a radical new haircut, a friend might say, 'Deine Eltern sind echt tolerant, dass sie das erlauben.' (Your parents are really tolerant for allowing that.)

„Sei doch nicht so streng, sei ein bisschen toleranter!“, sagte sie zu ihrem Bruder.

In the workplace, HR departments often use the word in job advertisements or mission statements. They might describe the company culture as 'offen und tolerant.' This is a signal to potential employees that the company values diversity and inclusion. If you are applying for a job in Germany, using this word to describe your own working style can be very effective.

Social Media: On platforms like Instagram or Twitter (X), hashtags like #Toleranz or #Tolerant are used in posts promoting social justice or community events.

In den sozialen Medien wird oft ein toleranter Dialog gefordert.

Even though tolerant is a cognate (a word that looks and means the same in two languages), there are several pitfalls English speakers should avoid. The most frequent errors involve grammar, specifically the case following the preposition 'gegenüber' and the confusion between the adjective and the noun.

Case Confusion: Mistake: 'Ich bin tolerant gegenüber *die* Leute.' (Incorrect case). Correct: 'Ich bin tolerant gegenüber *den* Leuten.' (Dative plural). 'Gegenüber' always demands the dative.
Adjective vs. Noun: English speakers often say 'I have tolerance' (Ich habe Toleranz). While grammatically correct in German, it is much more common to use the adjective: 'Ich bin tolerant.' Using the noun can sometimes sound overly formal or abstract.

Falsch: Er ist eine tolerante Person gegenüber mir. (Word order issue). Richtig: Er ist mir gegenüber sehr tolerant.

Another mistake is confusing 'tolerant' with 'gleichgültig' (indifferent). In English, 'I'm tolerant of that' can sometimes mean 'I don't care.' In German, 'tolerant' usually implies a conscious choice to respect something despite a difference. If you truly don't care, use 'egal' or 'gleichgültig.' Saying 'Ich bin tolerant gegenüber dem Wetter' sounds strange because you don't 'respect' the weather; you just endure it. Use 'tolerant' for people, ideas, and behaviors.

Man sollte nicht tolerant gegenüber Intoleranz sein. (The Paradox of Tolerance).

Finally, pay attention to the pronunciation. English speakers often put the stress on the first syllable (TO-ler-ant). In German, the stress is on the last syllable (to-le-RANT). If you stress the beginning, Germans will understand you, but it will sound very 'foreign.' Practice saying 'Elefant' (elephant) and 'tolerant' together, as they share the same rhythmic pattern in German.

Ending Errors: Mistake: 'Ein tolerant Mann.' Correct: 'Ein toleranter Mann.' Adjectives between an article and a noun MUST have endings. This is a common hurdle for A2 students.

Es ist ein Fehler, tolerant mit 'interessiert' zu verwechseln.

While tolerant is a fantastic word, using it repeatedly can make your German sound repetitive. Depending on the context, there are several synonyms and related terms that can add nuance to your speech.

Aufgeschlossen (Open-minded): This is a very common alternative. While 'tolerant' means you accept others, 'aufgeschlossen' suggests you are actively interested in and open to new things. Example: 'Sie ist sehr aufgeschlossen gegenüber neuen Erfahrungen.'
Liberal (Liberal/Broad-minded): Often used in political or social contexts to describe a permissive attitude. It implies a 'live and let live' philosophy. Example: 'Er hat eine liberale Einstellung zur Kindererziehung.'
Duldsam (Patient/Enduring - Old fashioned): This is a more literary or old-fashioned term. It comes from 'dulden' (to endure). It sounds more passive than 'tolerant.'

Anstatt nur tolerant zu sein, sollten wir versuchen, aufgeschlossen zu sein.

When comparing these words, consider the 'active vs. passive' scale. 'Tolerant' is the neutral middle ground. 'Gleichgültig' (indifferent) is on the negative/passive end, while 'akzeptierend' (accepting) or 'wertschätzend' (appreciative) is on the active/positive end. If you want to say that you don't just 'put up with' someone but actually value them, use 'wertschätzend.'

Sein liberales Weltbild macht ihn zu einem angenehmen Gesprächspartner.

In a technical context, like chemistry or engineering, you might use 'widerstandsfähig' (resistant) instead of 'tolerant.' For example, a plant that can handle salt is 'salztolerant,' but a metal that can handle heat is 'hitzebeständig.' Choosing the right 'tolerance' word depends entirely on whether you are talking about people's minds or physical properties.

Nachsichtig (Lenient/Indulgent): Use this when someone in authority forgives a mistake. 'Der Lehrer war nachsichtig mit den Schülern.' This is more specific than being generally 'tolerant.'

Eine nachsichtige Haltung kann manchmal hilfreicher sein als pure Toleranz.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word didn't become a popular social concept until the Enlightenment (18th century). Before that, 'tolerieren' was mostly used for enduring physical pain or bad weather.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /tɔləˈʁant/

US /tɑləˈrænt/

Last syllable: to-le-RANT

Rima com

Elefant Musikant Restaurant interessant bekannt verwandt Land Hand

Erros comuns

Stressing the first syllable (TO-lerant) like in English.
Swallowing the final 't'.
Pronouncing the 'r' too softly; in German, it's often uvular.
Making the 'o' too long like in 'go'. It should be short like in 'hot'.
Pronouncing the 'an' like in 'man'. In German, it's more like 'ah-nt'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize because it is a cognate.

Escrita 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings and dative case with 'gegenüber'.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is key; stress the end of the word.

Audição 1/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

nett freundlich offen andere Meinung

Aprenda a seguir

die Toleranz tolerieren aufgeschlossen die Vielfalt der Respekt

Avançado

die Pluralität das Paradoxon die Ambiguitätstoleranz die Weltanschauung die Aufklärung

Gramática essencial

Adjective Declension

Ein tolerantER Mann, eine tolerantE Frau, ein tolerantES Kind.

Dative with 'gegenüber'

Ich bin tolerant gegenüber DEM (Dativ) Lehrer.

Comparison of Adjectives

tolerant, toleranter, am tolerantesten.

Substantivized Adjectives

Das Tolerante an seiner Art gefällt mir.

Adverbs from Adjectives

Er hat die Situation tolerant gelöst (no change in form).

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Exemplos por nível

Mein Bruder ist sehr tolerant.

My brother is very tolerant.

Subject + Verb + Adjective (no ending).

Bist du tolerant?

Are you tolerant?

Question form with 'sein'.

Wir sind tolerant.

We are tolerant.

Plural subject with 'sein'.

Sie ist eine tolerante Frau.

She is a tolerant woman.

Adjective ending '-e' for feminine singular nominative.

Er ist ein toleranter Mann.

He is a tolerant man.

Adjective ending '-er' for masculine singular nominative with indefinite article.

Das ist ein tolerantes Land.

That is a tolerant country.

Adjective ending '-es' for neuter singular nominative.

Meine Eltern sind tolerant.

My parents are tolerant.

Plural subject, predicate adjective (no ending).

Lehrer müssen tolerant sein.

Teachers must be tolerant.

Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive 'sein'.

Er ist tolerant gegenüber anderen Meinungen.

He is tolerant toward other opinions.

Preposition 'gegenüber' + dative plural 'Meinungen'.

In Berlin sind die Menschen sehr tolerant.

In Berlin, people are very tolerant.

Adverbial phrase 'In Berlin' at the start.

Ich möchte toleranter werden.

I want to become more tolerant.

Comparative 'toleranter' + 'werden' (to become).

Sie reagiert immer tolerant auf Fehler.

She always reacts tolerantly to mistakes.

Adverbial use of the adjective.

Ein tolerantes Miteinander ist wichtig.

A tolerant togetherness is important.

Adjective ending '-es' for neuter nominative.

Bist du tolerant gegenüber deinen Nachbarn?

Are you tolerant toward your neighbors?

Dative plural 'Nachbarn' after 'gegenüber'.

Wir brauchen mehr tolerante Menschen.

We need more tolerant people.

Adjective ending '-e' for plural accusative.

Seine Familie ist nicht sehr tolerant.

His family is not very tolerant.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Toleranz bedeutet, andere so zu lassen, wie sie sind.

Tolerance means letting others be as they are.

Using the noun 'Toleranz' as the subject.

Ein toleranter Umgang mit Konflikten ist hilfreich.

A tolerant handling of conflicts is helpful.

Masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Sie hat eine sehr tolerante Erziehung genossen.

She enjoyed a very tolerant upbringing.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Man muss tolerant gegenüber fremden Kulturen sein.

One must be tolerant toward foreign cultures.

Generic 'man' as subject.

Das Klima in der Firma ist offen und tolerant.

The atmosphere in the company is open and tolerant.

Two adjectives describing a noun.

Trotz ihrer Differenzen blieben sie tolerant.

Despite their differences, they remained tolerant.

Genitive preposition 'Trotz'.

Wir diskutierten über eine tolerantere Gesellschaft.

We discussed a more tolerant society.

Comparative adjective with feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Ist Deutschland ein tolerantes Land?

Is Germany a tolerant country?

Interrogative sentence with neuter nominative.

Die Grenzen einer toleranten Gesellschaft sind oft umstritten.

The limits of a tolerant society are often debated.

Genitive feminine singular '-en'.

Er verhielt sich gegenüber seinen Kritikern äußerst tolerant.

He behaved extremely tolerantly toward his critics.

Adverbial usage with 'äußerst' (extremely).

Religiöse Toleranz ist ein Grundpfeiler der Demokratie.

Religious tolerance is a cornerstone of democracy.

Compound noun 'Grundpfeiler'.

Es fällt ihm schwer, tolerant zu bleiben.

He finds it difficult to remain tolerant.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

Eine tolerante Haltung gegenüber Fehlern fördert Innovation.

A tolerant attitude toward mistakes promotes innovation.

Feminine nominative ending '-e'.

Wir müssen die Intoleranz mit toleranten Mitteln bekämpfen.

We must fight intolerance with tolerant means.

Dative plural ending '-en'.

Er ist für seine tolerante Weltanschauung bekannt.

He is known for his tolerant worldview.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Die Studie untersucht, wie tolerant Jugendliche sind.

The study examines how tolerant young people are.

Indirect question with 'wie'.

Die philosophische Debatte über den Begriff 'tolerant' ist komplex.

The philosophical debate about the term 'tolerant' is complex.

Adjective used as a quoted term.

In einer pluralistischen Gesellschaft ist ein toleranter Diskurs unerlässlich.

In a pluralistic society, a tolerant discourse is essential.

Masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Man kann nicht grenzenlos tolerant sein, ohne die Toleranz selbst zu gefährden.

One cannot be limitlessly tolerant without endangering tolerance itself.

Adverb 'grenzenlos' modifying 'tolerant'.

Seine tolerante Auslegung des Gesetzes überraschte viele.

His tolerant interpretation of the law surprised many.

Feminine nominative ending '-e'.

Die Stadtverwaltung bemüht sich um ein tolerantes Klima.

The city administration strives for a tolerant atmosphere.

Neuter accusative ending '-es'.

Trotz der Kritik blieb der Regisseur seinem toleranten Ansatz treu.

Despite the criticism, the director remained true to his tolerant approach.

Dative masculine ending '-en' after 'seinem'.

Es bedarf einer toleranten Grundhaltung, um diese Krise zu meistern.

It requires a tolerant basic attitude to master this crisis.

Genitive feminine ending '-en'.

Die Kunst ist oft ein Raum für extrem tolerante Ausdrucksformen.

Art is often a space for extremely tolerant forms of expression.

Accusative plural ending '-e'.

Die Paradoxie der Toleranz evoziert tiefgreifende ethische Dilemmata.

The paradox of tolerance evokes profound ethical dilemmas.

High-level vocabulary like 'evozieren' and 'Dilemmata'.

Ein wahrhaft toleranter Geist erkennt die Relativität der eigenen Werte an.

A truly tolerant spirit recognizes the relativity of one's own values.

Masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Die historische Genese des toleranten Denkens lässt sich bis in die Antike zurückverfolgen.

The historical genesis of tolerant thinking can be traced back to antiquity.

Genitive neuter ending '-en'.

Er plädierte für eine radikal tolerante Gesellschaftsordnung.

He pleaded for a radically tolerant social order.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Tolerantes Handeln erfordert oft eine erhebliche Ambiguitätstoleranz.

Tolerant action often requires a significant tolerance for ambiguity.

Neuter nominative ending '-es'.

Die Grenzen des Toleranten werden in Zeiten der Polarisierung neu definiert.

The boundaries of the tolerant are redefined in times of polarization.

Substantivized adjective in the genitive.

Man muss zwischen bloßer Duldung und einer proaktiv toleranten Haltung differenzieren.

One must differentiate between mere endurance and a proactively tolerant attitude.

Dative feminine ending '-en'.

Die Forderung nach einer toleranten Justiz ist so alt wie das Recht selbst.

The demand for a tolerant justice system is as old as law itself.

Dative feminine ending '-en'.

Colocações comuns

tolerant gegenüber

äußerst tolerant

religiös tolerant

politisch tolerant

tolerant reagieren

jemanden tolerant erziehen

eine tolerante Gesellschaft

null tolerant

bemerkenswert tolerant

von Natur aus tolerant

Frases Comuns

Leben und leben lassen.

— A phrase often associated with tolerance; literally 'Live and let live'.

Mein Motto ist: Leben und leben lassen.

Null-Toleranz-Strategie

— A policy of zero tolerance, often in law enforcement.

Die Polizei verfolgt eine Null-Toleranz-Strategie.

Toleranz zeigen

— To show tolerance.

In dieser Situation müssen wir Toleranz zeigen.

An die Grenzen der Toleranz stoßen

— To reach the limits of tolerance.

Hier stoße ich an die Grenzen meiner Toleranz.

Gegenseitige Toleranz

— Mutual tolerance.

Gegenseitige Toleranz ist die Basis unserer Freundschaft.

Ein gewisses Maß an Toleranz

— A certain degree of tolerance.

Jeder braucht ein gewisses Maß an Toleranz.

Toleranz üben

— To practice tolerance.

Wir müssen täglich Toleranz üben.

Mangel an Toleranz

— Lack of tolerance.

Es gibt einen Mangel an Toleranz in der Politik.

Toleranz gegenüber Fehlern

— Tolerance for mistakes.

Toleranz gegenüber Fehlern ist in der Softwareentwicklung wichtig.

Erziehung zur Toleranz

— Education for tolerance.

Erziehung zur Toleranz beginnt im Kindergarten.

Frequentemente confundido com

tolerant vs gleichgültig

Indifferent. 'Tolerant' means you care but respect; 'gleichgültig' means you don't care at all.

tolerant vs geduldig

Patient. 'Geduldig' refers to time and waiting; 'tolerant' refers to accepting differences.

tolerant vs akzeptabel

Acceptable. 'Akzeptabel' describes a thing; 'tolerant' describes a person or their attitude.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Ein Auge zudrücken"

— To turn a blind eye; to be tolerant of a small mistake.

Der Polizist hat ein Auge zugedrückt.

Informal

"Fünfe gerade sein lassen"

— To not be too strict; to let things slide.

Man muss auch mal Fünfe gerade sein lassen.

Informal

"Über den eigenen Schatten springen"

— To overcome one's own limitations to be more tolerant/open.

Er musste über seinen Schatten springen, um tolerant zu sein.

Neutral

"Jemanden in Ruhe lassen"

— To leave someone alone (a passive form of tolerance).

Lass ihn doch einfach in Ruhe.

Informal

"Jedem Tierchen sein Pläsierchen"

— To each their own (literally: to every little animal its little pleasure).

Er mag komische Musik? Na ja, jedem Tierchen sein Pläsierchen.

Dialect/Informal

"Das Herz auf dem rechten Fleck haben"

— To have one's heart in the right place (often implies being tolerant/kind).

Er ist zwar grob, aber er hat das Herz auf dem rechten Fleck.

Informal

"Großzügig darüber hinwegsehen"

— To generously overlook something.

Sie sah großzügig über seinen Fehler hinweg.

Formal

"Offene Türen einrennen"

— To push at an open door (when someone is already tolerant/agrees).

Mit deiner Bitte rennst du bei mir offene Türen ein.

Neutral

"Kein Blatt vor den Mund nehmen"

— To not mince words (sometimes the opposite of being 'socially tolerant').

Er nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund.

Neutral

"Butter bei die Fische"

— Get to the point (used in debates about tolerance/politics).

Jetzt mal Butter bei die Fische: Wie tolerant seid ihr wirklich?

Informal/Northern German

Fácil de confundir

tolerant vs Toleranz

Noun vs Adjective

'Toleranz' is the noun (tolerance), while 'tolerant' is the adjective.

Er zeigt viel Toleranz. Er ist tolerant.

tolerant vs tolerieren

Verb vs Adjective

'Tolerieren' is the action of putting up with something.

Ich toleriere das nicht!

tolerant vs dulden

Synonym

'Dulden' is often more passive and sometimes carries a negative undertone of 'grudgingly allowing'.

Wir dulden keine Gewalt.

tolerant vs nachsichtig

Synonym

'Nachsichtig' is specifically about being lenient toward someone's mistakes or flaws.

Sei nachsichtig mit ihm.

tolerant vs aufgeschlossen

Synonym

'Aufgeschlossen' implies an active interest, while 'tolerant' can just mean peaceful coexistence.

Sie ist aufgeschlossen für neue Kulturen.

Padrões de frases

[Person] ist [tolerant].

Mein Vater ist tolerant.

[Person] ist [tolerant] gegenüber [Dativ].

Sie ist tolerant gegenüber Kindern.

Ein(e) [tolerant] - [Ending] [Noun] ist wichtig.

Ein toleranter Umgang ist wichtig.

Es ist [Adjektiv], [tolerant] zu sein.

Es ist schwierig, immer tolerant zu sein.

Die [Toleranz] gegenüber [Dativ] nimmt zu/ab.

Die Toleranz gegenüber Rauchern nimmt ab.

Trotz [Genitiv] blieb er [tolerant].

Trotz des Lärms blieb er tolerant.

Die [Substantiv] der [Toleranz] wird [Verb].

Die Grenzen der Toleranz werden oft überschritten.

[Adverb] [tolerant] zu [Verb].

Proaktiv tolerant zu handeln ist eine Tugend.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

die Toleranz (tolerance)

die Intoleranz (intolerance)

der Toleranzbereich (tolerance range)

Verbos

tolerieren (to tolerate)

dulden (to endure/tolerate)

Adjetivos

tolerant (tolerant)

intolerant (intolerant)

tolerierbar (tolerable)

Relacionado

die Akzeptanz

die Aufgeschlossenheit

die Duldsamkeit

die Nachsicht

die Liberalität

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Como usar

frequency

High (Top 2000 words)

Erros comuns

Ich bin tolerant für andere Kulturen. → Ich bin tolerant gegenüber anderen Kulturen.
The correct preposition is 'gegenüber', not 'für'.
Ein tolerant Mann. → Ein toleranter Mann.
Adjectives before a noun need an ending.
TO-lerant (Stress on first syllable) → to-le-RANT (Stress on last syllable)
German pronunciation stresses the final syllable in this word.
Ich habe Toleranz gegenüber ihn. → Ich bin tolerant gegenüber ihm.
While 'Toleranz haben' exists, the adjective 'tolerant sein' is much more natural. Also, 'ihn' (Accusative) should be 'ihm' (Dative).
Er ist tolerant zum Wetter. → Das Wetter macht ihm nichts aus.
'Tolerant' is used for social/intellectual contexts, not for enduring physical conditions like weather.

Dicas

Case Alert

Always use the Dative case after 'gegenüber'. Example: 'tolerant gegenüber dem (Dativ) Kind'.

Stress the End

Unlike English, the stress is at the end. Practice: to-le-RANT.

A High Compliment

Calling someone 'tolerant' in Germany is a significant compliment to their character.

Use Synonyms

Try 'aufgeschlossen' if you want to sound more enthusiastic about something new.

Adjective Endings

Check your endings! 'Ein toleranter Mann' (masculine) vs 'Eine tolerante Frau' (feminine).

Not for Weather

Don't use 'tolerant' for weather or inanimate objects unless they are systems. Use it for people and ideas.

Final T

German 't' sounds are sharper than English ones. Listen for that clear 't' at the end of 'tolerant'.

Live and Let Live

The phrase 'Leben und leben lassen' is the perfect companion to the word 'tolerant'.

B1/B2 Keywords

In German exams, 'Toleranz' is a very common topic for the speaking and writing parts.

The Elephant

Remember: Elefant, Restaurant, tolerant. All stress the last syllable!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of an Elephant (Elefant) who is very tolerant (tolerant). They both end in '-ant' and have the stress at the end!

Associação visual

Imagine a large bridge where many different types of cars and people cross safely. The bridge is 'tolerant' of all of them.

Word Web

Akzeptanz Respekt Offenheit Frieden Geduld Vielfalt Demokratie Menschlichkeit

Desafio

Try to use 'tolerant gegenüber' in three different sentences today: one about a friend, one about a food you don't like, and one about a political opinion.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Latin verb 'tolerare', which means 'to bear', 'to endure', or 'to support'. It entered the German language in the 16th century.

Significado original: To physically carry a burden or endure suffering.

Indo-European (Latin branch -> Germanic adoption).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when discussing 'Toleranz' in political contexts; it is a very serious and sometimes heated topic in Germany regarding integration and free speech.

In English, 'tolerant' can sometimes sound a bit passive or even slightly negative (e.g., 'I tolerate him'). in German, 'tolerant' is almost always a high-value positive trait.

Lessing's 'Nathan der Weise' (Nathan the Wise) is the ultimate German literary work about religious tolerance. The 'Ringparabel' (Ring Parable) within that play explains why no one religion can claim to be the 'true' one. The 'Berliner Toleranzedikt' (1685) was a historical decree allowing religious freedom.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Social Life

Tolerant gegenüber Nachbarn sein
Andere Lebensstile akzeptieren
Ein toleranter Freund
Offen für Neues

Politics

Eine tolerante Gesellschaft
Religiöse Toleranz fördern
Gegen Intoleranz kämpfen
Demokratische Werte

Work

Ein tolerantes Arbeitsklima
Toleranz gegenüber Fehlern
Vielfalt im Team
Professioneller Umgang

History

Die Zeit der Aufklärung
Das Edikt von Potsdam
Nathan der Weise
Historische Toleranz

Health/Biology

Laktosetolerant sein
Gute Stresstoleranz
Medikamententoleranz
Biologische Anpassung

Iniciadores de conversa

"Findest du, dass die Menschen in deiner Stadt tolerant sind?"

"Was bedeutet 'Toleranz' für dich persönlich im Alltag?"

"Gibt es Dinge, gegenüber denen man nicht tolerant sein sollte?"

"Warst du schon einmal in einer Situation, in der du sehr tolerant sein musstest?"

"Wie kann man Kindern beibringen, toleranter zu sein?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über eine Person, die du als sehr tolerant empfindest. Warum ist sie so?

Reflektiere über deine eigene Toleranz: Wo liegen deine Grenzen und warum?

Beschreibe eine ideale tolerante Gesellschaft. Wie würden die Menschen dort miteinander umgehen?

Warum ist Toleranz in der heutigen Zeit wichtiger (oder schwieriger) als früher?

Diskutiere den Satz: 'Toleranz ist das Fundament des Friedens.'

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

'Tolerant' means you respect something even if you don't like it. 'Offen' (open) means you are willing to try it or are interested in it. You can be tolerant of a religion without being 'open' to joining it.

Mostly, yes. If you want to specify the object of tolerance, 'gegenüber' is the standard preposition. You can also use 'bei' in some specific contexts like 'tolerant bei Fehlern', but 'gegenüber' is safer.

Yes, it is very common. It is used in politics, education, and daily life. It is considered a very positive trait.

Yes, but usually as a compound like 'laktosetolerant'. If you just say 'Ich bin tolerant gegenüber Milch', it sounds like you are being nice to the milk, not that you can digest it!

The direct opposite is 'intolerant'. Other words like 'engstirnig' (narrow-minded) are also common.

Stress the last syllable: to-le-RANT. The 't' at the end should be crisp and clear.

Yes, especially regarding company culture ('eine tolerante Unternehmenskultur') or technical systems ('fehlertolerant').

Yes, for example: 'Er hat sehr tolerant reagiert.' (He reacted very tolerantly.)

Yes. 'Toleranz' is often seen as 'letting something be', while 'Akzeptanz' is a deeper, more active level of agreement or welcoming.

You could say a dog is 'tolerant gegenüber Kindern' if it stays calm when children play with it.

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