Spanish word

tolerar

Pronunciation

IPA/toleˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbput up with

Example

No puedo tolerar ese ruido.

I can't put up with that noise.

Illustration for tolerar (put up with)

More examples

Tuve que tolerar una fila interminable.

I had to put up with an endless line.

Core concept

Maintaining composure while something bothers you over time.

Common phrases

  • tolerar a alguien

    put up with someone

  • no tolerar más

    not put up with anymore

Similar words

aguantar: Sustain effort through difficulty, continuing despite pain or hardship.
soportar: Tolerate persistent unpleasantness or pain, enduring it stoically.
permitir: Permit someone's behavior or a situation to happen by not intervening.
resistir: Resist external attack or pressure, holding firm against force.

Definition in Spanish

Sufrir o aguantar algo molesto durante un tiempo sin reaccionar abiertamente.

Word origin

Tolerar comes from Latin tolerare 'to bear' and develops the idea of enduring unpleasant situations or attitudes without outward protest.

Usage tips

  • When the sense is permission or formal acceptance, Spanish uses permitir or admitir rather than tolerar, which highlights passive endurance.

Other meanings

  • allowverb

Opposites

  • rechazarrejectverb
  • reprobardisapproveverb

Related words

Word lists with this word