TutorLingua

tolerancia

nounCEFR B2

What does “tolerancia” mean in English?

  1. 1.willingness to accept beliefs, customs or behaviour different from one's own

  2. 2.the capacity of a body or system to endure or resist something without being damaged

Example sentences

  • La educación en valores como la tolerancia y el respeto es fundamental desde la infancia.

    Education in values like tolerance and respect is fundamental from childhood.

  • El médico le explicó que su baja tolerancia a la lactosa le provocaba molestias digestivas.

    The doctor explained that his low lactose tolerance was causing him digestive discomfort.

How to use it

La tolerancia (noun, feminine) most often means social 'tolerance' — accepting different beliefs or ways of life. Core B2 collocations: la tolerancia cero (zero tolerance), fomentar la tolerancia, un acto de tolerancia. It also has a technical sense: tolerancia al dolor (pain tolerance), tolerancia a la lactosa (lactose tolerance).

Common mistake

Tolerancia cero is a fixed political/institutional phrase (zero tolerance), always singular and invariable. Don't confuse tolerar (to tolerate, put up with) with soportar (to bear/stand, more physical or emotional strain).

Topics

Related B2 words

Reference

This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Nociones generales: valores y socieda.