How to Say "to tolerate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to tolerate” is “aguantar” — use 'aguantar' when you are enduring or putting up with a difficult situation or person that you find annoying or challenging..
aguantar
/a-gwan-TAR//a.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-TAR/so.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-TAR/aθepˈtaɾ/
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.
admitir
ahd-mee-TEER/aðmiˈtiɾ/
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-FREER//suˈfɾiɾ/
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
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