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.
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.
This noise is no longer tolerable.
Adds 'somehow' or 'barely', emphasizing that it's just barely tolerable.
The salary is low, but it's barely tolerable.
Literally 'within the range of endurance'. Used to say something is within tolerable limits.
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.
The taste was tolerable / not too bad.
His English is tolerable enough to communicate.
Literally 'not bad'. A common understatement meaning 'pretty good' or 'tolerable'.
This hotel is tolerable / not bad.
Literally 'within acceptable range'. Used in formal or technical contexts to mean tolerable or within tolerance.
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.
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.
She's annoying, but tolerable to be around.
Potential form of 許す (to forgive/allow). Means 'can tolerate/forgive' someone's behavior.
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.