Question 1

How can I use this lesson's target phrase, по отношению к, to say "tolerance towards others" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

You can add it directly after терпимость. Since по отношению к requires the Dative case, the word for "others" (другие) becomes другим. The full phrase "towards others" is по отношению к другим, making the expanded sentence: Враждебный человек никогда не показывает терпимость по отношению к другим.

Question 2

Does терпимость stay in the Nominative case here, even though it is the direct object?

Accepted Answer

It is actually in the Accusative case, but it looks identical to the Nominative. Терпимость is a feminine noun ending in a soft sign (-ь), which belongs to the 3rd declension. For inanimate nouns in this group, the Nominative and Accusative forms are exactly the same.

Question 3

I've seen the word толерантность used for tolerance. Could I use it here instead of терпимость?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could, but терпимость fits perfectly for describing a personal character trait. Терпимость is a native Russian word derived from терпеть (meaning "to endure" or "to tolerate"). Толерантность is a borrowed word that is usually preferred in formal sociological, political, or medical contexts.

Question 4

Just as a refresher, why do we need не if we already have никогда?

Accepted Answer

Russian uses strict double negation. When you use a negative pronoun or adverb like никогда (never), никто (nobody), or нигде (nowhere), you must still put не right before the verb. If translated literally, the sentence says that a hostile person "never does not show" tolerance.

Враждебный человек никогда не показывает терпимость.

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