How to Say "to tolerate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to tolerate” is “aguantar” — use this when you are enduring or putting up with a difficult situation or person, often with a sense of annoyance or difficulty. It implies a strong, sometimes reluctant, endurance.
aguantar
a-gwan-TARa.ɣwanˈtaɾ
Examples
No aguanto el ruido de mis vecinos por la noche.
I can't stand the noise from my neighbors at night.
Ella aguantó la presión del examen final con mucha calma.
She endured the pressure of the final exam very calmly.
¿Puedes aguantar hasta que lleguemos al restaurante?
Can you hold on (or endure) until we get to the restaurant?
Direct Object Needed
When using 'aguantar' to mean 'tolerate,' you usually need to say what you are tolerating immediately afterward (e.g., 'Aguanto el calor'—I tolerate the heat).
Confusing with 'Esperar'
Mistake: “Using 'aguantar' when you simply mean 'to wait' for a specific time or event ('Aguanto el bus').”
Correction: Use 'esperar' for waiting ('Espero el bus'). Use 'aguantar' when the waiting involves endurance or difficulty.
soportar
soh-por-TARso.porˈtaɾ
Examples
No soporto el calor de esta ciudad en verano.
I can't stand the heat of this city in the summer.
Ella soporta las críticas con mucha paciencia.
She endures the criticism with a lot of patience.
¿Puedes soportar a tu jefe por ocho horas al día?
Can you put up with your boss for eight hours a day?
Direct Object
The thing or person you are tolerating always receives the action directly, without needing a preposition like 'a' unless referring to a specific person.
Confusing 'soportar' with 'apoyar'
Mistake: “Using 'soportar' when you mean 'to support/encourage' someone emotionally.”
Correction: Use 'apoyar' or 'dar apoyo' for emotional encouragement. 'Soportar' means enduring something annoying. Example: Use 'Apoyo a mi amigo' (I support my friend), not 'Soporto a mi amigo'.
aceptar
ah-sep-TARaθepˈtaɾ
Examples
Tenemos que aceptar las consecuencias de nuestros errores.
We have to accept the consequences of our mistakes.
Los empleados no aceptaron los nuevos términos del contrato.
The employees did not agree to the new terms of the contract.
Es difícil aceptar que no puedes cambiar a esa persona.
It is difficult to tolerate that you cannot change that person.
Facing Difficulties
This meaning is often used when dealing with unpleasant but unavoidable situations (like a loss, a defeat, or a reality you cannot change).
Using 'Permitir'
Mistake: “Sometimes learners confuse 'aceptar' (to tolerate/agree) with 'permitir' (to allow/give permission).”
Correction: Use 'aceptar' for agreement or resignation, and 'permitir' when you are the one giving someone else authorization to do something.
tolerar
toh-leh-RAHRtoleˈɾaɾ
Examples
Es importante tolerar las opiniones de los demás.
It is important to tolerate the opinions of others.
Mi jefe no tolera que lleguemos tarde a las reuniones.
My boss does not tolerate us being late to meetings.
No puedo tolerar este calor tan intenso.
I cannot put up with this intense heat.
Mi cuerpo no tolera muy bien la lactosa.
My body doesn't tolerate lactose very well.
Tolerar vs. Soportar
While both can mean 'to put up with', 'tolerar' is more about respect and permission, whereas 'soportar' is often about physically carrying a weight or standing a feeling.
Using 'que' with tolerar
When you don't tolerate someone doing something, the word for the action changes: 'No tolero que tú hagas eso' (I don't tolerate you doing that).
No need for reflexive
Unlike some verbs that change when talking about the body, 'tolerar' is usually used directly with the thing being tolerated (e.g., 'tolero el café').
Direct translation of 'can't stand'
Mistake: “No puedo estar a esta persona.”
Correction: No puedo tolerar a esta persona. (In Spanish, 'tolerar' or 'soportar' is used to express you can't stand someone.)
Tolerar vs. Tener alergia
Mistake: “No tolero a las nueces.”
Correction: Soy alérgico a las nueces / No tolero las nueces. (Don't use 'a' before the object unless the object is a person.)
consentir
kon-sen-TEERkon.senˈtiɾ
Examples
No puedo consentir que llegues tarde todos los días.
I cannot allow you to arrive late every day.
Ella consintió en participar en el proyecto.
She agreed/consented to participate in the project.
El juez no consintió la evidencia.
The judge did not allow the evidence.
Using 'en' with Consentir
When you want to say 'to consent TO doing something,' you often need to use the word 'en' before the next action. For example: 'Consintió en venir' (He agreed to come).
Subjunctive Alert!
When 'consentir' means 'to allow someone else to do something,' the second verb in the sentence needs a special form (the subjunctive). Example: 'No consiento que VAYAS' (I don't allow you to go).
Don't forget the 'que'
Mistake: “No consiento tú ir.”
Correction: No consiento que vayas. You need the word 'que' to link the two parts of the sentence when there are two different people involved.
admitir
ahd-mee-TEERaðmiˈtiɾ
Examples
La ley no admite excepciones en este caso.
The law does not allow exceptions in this case.
El presupuesto no admite más gastos.
The budget cannot tolerate any more expenses.
sufrir
soo-FREERsuˈfɾiɾ
Examples
La empresa sufrió grandes pérdidas este trimestre.
The company sustained large losses this quarter.
El edificio sufrió daños graves a causa del terremoto.
The building underwent serious damage due to the earthquake.
Nuestra reputación sufrió un duro golpe.
Our reputation suffered a serious blow.
Non-Human Subjects
In this context, the subject performing 'sufrir' is often an inanimate object, like 'el puente' (the bridge) or 'la economía' (the economy).
Confusing 'soportar'
Mistake: “El puente sufrió el peso.”
Correction: El puente soportó el peso. ('Soportar' means to withstand or bear weight/pressure, while 'sufrir' means to be negatively affected by it.)
Enduring vs. Accepting
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.