averse / disinclined
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averse
Having a rejecting attitude or lack of inclination toward a person, thing, or activity.
Sie stand dem Vorschlag, ins Ausland zu ziehen, von Anfang an abgeneigt gegenüber.
She was averse to the suggestion of moving abroad from the very beginning.
The word comes from the verb 'abneigen'. It is made up of 'ab-' (away from) and 'neigen' (to lean or move toward something). So 'abgeneigt' (averse) literally describes an attitude in which you move away from something or turn away from it.
Ich bin solchen Experimenten eher abgeneigt.
I am rather averse to experiments like that.
The adjective 'abgeneigt' (averse) is always used with the dative. The person or thing toward which you feel aversion is in the dative.
Er ist neuen Technologien nicht abgeneigt.
He is not averse to new technologies.
The negated form 'nicht abgeneigt sein' (not to be averse) is a polite and restrained way to express interest or agreement. It means something like 'I could imagine doing that' or 'I actually have nothing against it.'
Einem Kaffee wäre ich jetzt nicht abgeneigt.
I wouldn't be averse to a coffee right now.
allergic
Both words can express a rejecting attitude toward something. Abgeneigt sounds more matter-of-fact and describes a lack of inclination, while allergisch in its figurative sense emphasizes a strong, often irritated reaction to a particular trigger. Use “abgeneigt” for calm rejection and “allergisch” for clear emotional defensiveness.
Sie ist neuen Regeln gegenüber abgeneigt, spricht aber ruhig darüber.
She is averse to the new rules but talks about them calmly.
Sie reagiert allergisch auf neue Regeln und wird sofort sehr gereizt.
She reacts allergically to new rules and immediately becomes very irritated.
