Translation guide
The English word "tolerable" can express that something is acceptable, bearable, or not too bad. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on whether you are describing a situation, a person's behavior, or a physical sensation. Common expressions include 我慢できる (gaman dekiru) for bearing something, まあまあ (māmā) for something being so-so, and 許容できる (kyoyō dekiru) for formal contexts.
Describing a situation, pain, or discomfort that one can endure or put up with.
Literally 'can endure/put up with'. The most common and natural way to say something is tolerable in the sense of being bearable.
この痛みはまだ我慢できる。
This pain is still tolerable.
The summer heat is tolerable, but the humidity is tough.
Potential form of 耐える (to endure/bear). Slightly more formal or literary than 我慢できる, often used for hardships.
この騒音はもう耐えられない。
This noise is no longer tolerable.
Adds 'somehow' or 'barely', emphasizing that it's just barely tolerable.
給料は安いけど、なんとか我慢できる。
The salary is low, but it's barely tolerable.
Literally 'within the range of endurance'. Used to say something is within tolerable limits.
この程度の遅れなら我慢の範囲内だ。
This level of delay is tolerable.
Describing something that is passable, okay, or not as bad as expected.
An adverb meaning 'so-so' or 'passable'. Very common in casual conversation.
味はまあまあだった。
The taste was tolerable / not too bad.
彼の英語はまあまあ通じる。
His English is tolerable enough to communicate.
Literally 'not bad'. A common understatement meaning 'pretty good' or 'tolerable'.
このホテル、悪くないね。
This hotel is tolerable / not bad.
Literally 'within acceptable range'. Used in formal or technical contexts to mean tolerable or within tolerance.
誤差は許容範囲内です。
The error is within tolerable limits.
Describing a person or their actions that you can put up with, often implying they are annoying but manageable.
Same as above, but applied to people. Often used with 人 or 性格.
彼の性格は我慢できる範囲だ。
His personality is tolerable.
Potential form of 付き合う (to associate with). Means 'can deal with' or 'can put up with' a person.
彼女はうるさいけど、まあ付き合える。
She's annoying, but tolerable to be around.
Potential form of 許す (to forgive/allow). Means 'can tolerate/forgive' someone's behavior.
彼の失礼な態度はもう許せない。
His rude behavior is no longer tolerable.
The direct translation '耐えられる' (taerareru) is grammatically correct but can sound stiff or overly dramatic in everyday conversation. For casual settings, '我慢できる' or 'まあまあ' are much more natural.
我慢できる (gaman dekiru) is used for enduring discomfort or annoyance, while 許容できる (kyoyō dekiru) is more about accepting something as permissible or within standards, often in formal or technical contexts.