German word

ertragen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈtʁaːgən/

Meaning

  • verbstand

Example

Ich kann den Lärm nicht ertragen.

I can't stand the noise.

Illustration for ertragen (stand)

More examples

Während des Marathons musste er die Schmerzen ertragen.

During the marathon, he had to endure the pain.

Core concept

An unpleasant pressure stays on someone until the person can bear it no longer, whether the pressure is physical or emotional.

Common phrases

  • Schmerzen ertragen

    endure pain

  • Kritik ertragen

    endure criticism

  • Hitze ertragen

    endure heat

Similar words

aushalten: To endure a difficult situation or burden until it ends.
ausstehen: To put up with a disliked person or thing.
dulden: To tolerate something undesirable without approving of it.
hinnehmen: To accept an unwanted result or situation without resisting it.

Definition in German

ein transitives Verb, das bedeutet, eine Last, Schmerzen oder seelische Belastungen auszuhalten

Word origin

The older German form irtragen combined er- with tragen and extended the concrete act of carrying to the sense of bearing a burden or hardship.

Usage tips

  • Ertragen often appears with nicht to express a strong limit of tolerance, while English 'stand' can also describe physical posture.

Other meanings

  • put up withverb
  • tolerateverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word