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Not willing to accept or respect other opinions, beliefs, behaviors, or lifestyles.
Sein intolerantes Verhalten gegenüber Andersdenkenden macht eine Diskussion unmöglich.
His intolerant behavior toward people who think differently makes discussion impossible.
The word begins with the prefix 'in-', which here expresses negation. The base is the adjective 'tolerant' (tolerant), so 'intolerant' literally means 'not tolerant'.
Es ist wichtig, nicht intolerant zu sein und andere Meinungen zu respektieren.
It is important not to be intolerant and to respect other opinions.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about opinions, cultures, or people, social intolerance is meant. If it is about food, substances, and physical reactions, the medical intolerance is meant.
Er reagiert intolerant auf Kritik. (sozial)
He reacts intolerantly to criticism. (social)
When you want to express what the intolerance is directed toward, you use the preposition 'gegenüber' with the dative. This construction is very typical for the social meaning.
Sie ist intolerant gegenüber Menschen, die eine andere politische Meinung haben.
She is intolerant toward people who have a different political opinion.
In the medical meaning, 'intolerant' is often used as the second part of compound adjectives. Very common examples are 'laktoseintolerant' (lactose intolerant) or 'glutenintolerant' (gluten intolerant).
Da ich laktoseintolerant bin, bestelle ich meinen Kaffee mit Hafermilch.
Since I am lactose intolerant, I order my coffee with oat milk.
liberal
'liberal' and 'intolerant' both describe an attitude toward other people, opinions, or ways of life. Here they are opposites. 'liberal' means that you are open and accept other views or ways of living. 'intolerant' means that you are not willing to do exactly that. When it comes to politics or economics, 'liberal' can also refer to a specific political direction; but in contrast to 'intolerant', the main meaning is the open and tolerant attitude.
Der Nachbar wirkt intolerant, weil er andere Meinungen sofort ablehnt.
The neighbor seems intolerant because he immediately rejects other opinions.
Meine Eltern sind ziemlich liberal und akzeptieren viele verschiedene Lebensweisen.
My parents are quite liberal and accept many different ways of life.