Meaning
容忍 means to tolerate or bear something unpleasant, uncomfortable, or disagreeable without complaint or resistance. It suggests accepting or allowing something you don't particularly like or approve of, often for the sake of peace, practicality, or necessity. The word combines 容 (to contain, allow) and 忍 (to endure, bear), literally suggesting 'allowing oneself to endure.'
Usage
容忍 is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts when discussing patience with difficult situations, behaviors, or people. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that what is being tolerated is undesirable but accepted anyway. Native speakers use it when talking about social tolerance, personal patience limits, or putting up with unfavorable conditions.
Examples
- 01我再也无法容忍他的粗鲁行为了。.I can no longer tolerate his rude behavior.
- 02一个成熟的社会应该容忍不同的观点。.A mature society should tolerate different viewpoints.
Characters
Common collocations
- 无法容忍cannot tolerate, intolerable
- 容忍度tolerance level, degree of tolerance
- 容忍限度limit of tolerance
- 难以容忍hard to tolerate
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the concept of tolerance: 容 originally depicted a house containing things, suggesting capacity and acceptance, while 忍 shows a blade over a heart, representing the mental effort required to endure difficulty.