die  Verträglichkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈtʁɛːklɪçkaɪ̯t/

🧐 What does 'die Verträglichkeit' mean?

Die Verträglichkeit (feminine noun) describes the quality of something or someone fitting well with something or someone else, without causing negative reactions or problems. It can refer to various areas:

• Medical/Biological: The property of a medicine (Medikament), food (Lebensmittel), or material being accepted or tolerated by the body without unwanted side effects (e.g., allergies, discomfort). Example: Die gute Verträglichkeit des neuen Medikaments. (The good tolerability/compatibility of the new medicine.)
• Social/Psychological: The ability of individuals or groups to get along well, interact harmoniously, or tolerate each other. Example: Die Verträglichkeit im Team ist entscheidend für den Erfolg. (Compatibility/Harmony within the team is crucial for success.)
• Technical: The ability of different systems, components, or software to work together seamlessly (Kompatibilität - compatibility). Example: Die Verträglichkeit des Druckers mit dem neuen Betriebssystem. (The compatibility of the printer with the new operating system.)

🚨 The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural "Verträglichkeiten" is rare and mostly used in technical or specialist language for various types of intolerances (e.g., Lebensmittelunverträglichkeiten - food intolerances).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'die Verträglichkeit' in Detail

Die Verträglichkeit is a feminine noun. It ends in -keit, which typically indicates feminine nouns in German.

💬 Example Sentences

1. Die Ärztin prüfte die Verträglichkeit der verschiedenen Medikamente.
   (The doctor checked the compatibility/tolerability of the various medications.)
2. Eine gute Verträglichkeit unter Kollegen fördert das Arbeitsklima.
   (Good compatibility/harmony among colleagues promotes the working atmosphere.)
3. Die Software-Updates verbesserten die Verträglichkeit mit älteren Geräten.
   (The software updates improved compatibility with older devices.)
4. Manche Menschen leiden unter einer schlechten Verträglichkeit von Laktose.
   (Some people suffer from poor tolerance of lactose.)

💡 How 'die Verträglichkeit' is Used

Die Verträglichkeit is an important concept in many areas of life. Here are some typical contexts:

• Health & Nutrition: Often used in connection with medicines (Medikamentenverträglichkeit), vaccines, foods (Lebensmittelverträglichkeit), or cosmetics (Hautverträglichkeit - skin compatibility). It's about whether the body tolerates something well.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Describes the harmonious coexistence of people (soziale Verträglichkeit - social compatibility). One speaks of the compatibility of partners, team members, or neighbours.
• Technology & IT: Refers to the compatibility of hardware, software, or systems (Systemverträglichkeit, Softwareverträglichkeit).

Distinctions:

• Toleranz (Tolerance): Often used synonymously, but Toleranz can also imply a conscious acceptance (even of negative things), whereas Verträglichkeit focuses more on the problem-free fitting together.
• Kompatibilität (Compatibility): Primarily used in the technical field and a direct synonym for technical Verträglichkeit.
• Bekömmlichkeit (Digestibility/Wholesomeness): Refers specifically to the easy digestibility of food and drinks. It's a specific type of Verträglichkeit.

🧠 Mnemonics for Verträglichkeit

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -keit are (almost) always feminine in German. Think of: die Fähigkeit (ability), die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Sauberkeit (cleanliness)... and therefore also die Verträglichkeit. Remember the quality (ending in -keit) is feminine!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something being 'carried well' (from the verb tragen = to carry, wear, bear). Your body 'carries' the food well (digestibility/tolerance), people 'carry' each other well in a relationship (compatibility), a system 'carries' a component well (compatibility). So, Verträglichkeit is the state of being 'carried well' together.

↔️ Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding/Confusing Words

• Vertraglichkeit: Refers to contracts (Vertrag), adherence to agreements. Completely different meaning!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Softwareentwickler: "Und wie ist die Verträglichkeit Ihrer neuen App?"
Antwortet der Entwickler: "Sehr gut! Sie verträgt sich mit fast jedem Bug... die bleiben einfach drin."

(Doctor asks the software developer: "And how is the compatibility/tolerance of your new app?"
Developer replies: "Very good! It's compatible with almost every bug... they just stay in.")

✍️ Poem about Verträglichkeit

Ob Pille, Mensch, ob Softwaresystem,
Die Verträglichkeit macht's angenehm.
Wenn alles passt und nichts sich quält,
Ist's Harmonie, die wirklich zählt.
Der Magen ruhig, das Team im Takt,
Der Code läuft, ein guter Pakt.
Drum prüfe gut, was sich verbindet,
Damit man keine Störung findet.

(Whether pill, person, or software system,
Compatibility makes it pleasant.
When everything fits and nothing torments,
It's harmony that truly counts.
The stomach calm, the team in rhythm,
The code runs, a good agreement.
So test well what connects and binds,
Lest one any disturbance finds.)

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich bin wichtig für dein Mahl,
Für Medizin in großer Zahl.
Im Team bin ich ein hohes Gut,
Und Technik braucht mich, voller Mut.
Hab' ich gefehlt, gibt's oft Beschwerden,
Man wünscht sich, ich möcht' besser werden.

(I am important for your meal,
For medicine, a great deal.
In a team, I'm highly prized,
And technology needs me, well-advised.
If I am missing, complaints arise,
People wish I'd improve before their eyes.

Who am I?)
(Solution: die Verträglichkeit - compatibility/tolerance)

⚙️ Word Details & Trivia

Word Composition:

Verträglichkeit is composed of:

• The verb vertragen: to tolerate, to bear; or: to get along with someone.
• The suffix -lich: forms adjectives (verträglich = tolerable, compatible).
• The suffix -keit: forms feminine nouns from adjectives, describing a quality or state.

Interesting Fact: The term has gained importance in recent decades, particularly due to the increase in allergies and intolerances (medical context) and the necessity of compatibility in IT.