ertragt

Ertragt is a grammatical form of the German verb ertragen, meaning to endure, bear, or tolerate. Specifically, ertragt is the second-person plural present tense form in standard usage, as in ihr ertragt, which can be translated as “you all endure” or “you all bear.”

Etymology and form. The verb ertragen is built from the base tragen (to carry, to bear) with the prefix er-, which in this sense adds a sense of completion or thoroughness. The form ertragt belongs to the same verbal paradigm as other present-tense endings for ihr (you all).

Usage and nuances. Ertragen is used to describe enduring something difficult or burdensome, whether physical, emotional, or situational. It is a neutral to slightly formal verb and appears in everyday and written German. Examples include Ihr ertragt die Hitze gut (You all endure the heat well) and Man erträgt Schmerzen oft geduldig (One endures pain often with patience), where man erträgt is the corresponding general form for impersonal subjects.

Common confusions. The form ertragt is sometimes mistaken for erträgt (third person singular) or erträgst (second person singular). These distinct forms correspond to different grammatical persons and numbers, but share the same underlying verb ertragen.

See also. ertragen, tragen, endurance terminology in German.