Tolerar

Tolerar is a Spanish verb meaning to tolerate, endure, bear, or allow something to occur, often in the sense of accepting something undesirable without immediate reaction. It can refer to tolerating a situation, a behavior, pain, or a difference of opinion. It is transitive and can take a direct object or the prepositional phrase a when referring to a person: tolerar a alguien.

Etymology and related forms: tolerar comes from Latin tolerare, from toler- “to bear.” It has cognates in other Romance languages, such as tolerar in Portuguese, tolérer in French, tollerare in Italian, and tolerare in English as tolerate.

Usage notes: In many contexts, tolerar conveys patience or acceptance rather than physical endurance; it is often milder than soportar or aguantar, which emphasize bearing discomfort or coercion. Common collocations include tolerar la diversidad, tolerar una falta de respeto, tolerar a alguien, tolerar que alguien haga algo. Examples: No tolero el ruido constante. Es difícil tolerar ciertas opiniones, pero se pueden respetar sin compartirse.

Conjugation basics: tolerar is a regular -ar verb. Present indicative forms: tolero, toleras, tolera, toleramos, toleráis, toleran. Other common forms include toleré, toleraste, toleró, toleramos, tolerasteis, toleraron (pre­térito); toleraba, tolerabas, toleraba, tolerábamos, tolerabais, toleraban (imperfecto); toleraré, tolerarás, tolerará, toleraremos, toleraréis, tolerarán (futuro). Gerund: tolerando; past participle: tolerado. Subjunctive present: tolere, toleres, tolere, toleremos, toleréis, toleren.