Japanese word

寛容

Pronunciation

Romajikan'yō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivetolerant

Example

先生は生徒の間違いに寛容です。sen sei wa sei to no ma chiga i ni kan yō de su

The teacher is tolerant of students' mistakes.

Illustration for 寛容 (tolerant)

More examples

この社会は少数意見に寛容です。ko no sha kai wa shō sū i ken ni kan yō de su

This society is tolerant of minority opinions.

Core concept

Describes an attitude that makes room for differences or mistakes without harsh judgment.

Common phrases

  • 寛容な人kan yō na hito

    a tolerant person

  • 寛容に接するkan yō ni ses su ru

    treat tolerantly

Similar words

寛大kandai: Allowing mistakes or offenses without insisting on severe punishment.
大らかōraka: Having a broad and relaxed attitude toward people and their differences.
鷹揚ōyō: Responding to faults or disagreement with a calm, generous attitude.

Definition in Japanese

他人の考えや行動の違いを受け入れ、過ちを厳しく責めない性質。ta nin no kanga e ya kō dō no chiga i o u ke i re ayama chi o kibi shi ku se me na i sei shitsu

Word origin

寛容 (kan'yō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 寛 (kan, "broad and lenient") and 容 (yō, "contain and accept").

Usage tips

  • In English, tolerant often concerns acceptance of differences, while forgiving more often concerns a mistake or offense, and 寛容 (kan'yō) can cover both ideas.

Other meanings

  • forgivingna-adjective

Opposites

  • 狭量kyōryōnarrow-mindedna-adjective

Related words

  • 寛容性kanyōseitolerancenoun

Word lists with this word