容忍 means 'to tolerate' or 'to put up with' something unpleasant, difficult, or disagreeable without protest or active resistance. The character 容 (róng) conveys 'to accept', 'to accommodate', or 'to make room for', while 忍 (rěn) means 'to endure', 'to bear', or 'to suppress one’s feelings'. Together, they form a verb emphasizing patient endurance—often implying restraint, self-control, or reluctant acceptance rather than enthusiastic approval.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving interpersonal relationships, social norms, moral boundaries, or personal limits—for example, tolerating someone’s bad habits, unfair treatment, or offensive behavior. It carries a slightly formal or serious tone and often appears in discussions about ethics, patience, or psychological resilience. Unlike the more neutral 忍受 (rěn shòu), 容忍 frequently implies a judgmental stance: one may choose to tolerate something despite disapproval, making it common in debates about rights, diversity, or discipline.