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intolérance

A2 noun 9 min read

intolérance

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips intolérance in 30 Seconds

Explanation intolérance in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that intolérance means you cannot eat certain things because they make you sick. You should focus on simple phrases like 'J'ai une intolérance' followed by a food word. You might see this on food packaging in France, often near the 'Sans...' (Without...) labels. It is a useful word to learn early if you have dietary needs, as it helps you communicate with hosts. You don't need to worry about the complex medical definitions yet. Just remember it is a feminine word (une intolérance) and it usually takes 'au' or 'à la' after it. For example, 'intolérance au lait' (milk intolerance). It is a 'transparent' word because it looks like the English word 'intolerance', making it easy to remember. However, remember that in French, we use it very often for food, whereas in English, we might just say 'I can't eat that'. Learning this word helps you be polite and clear when someone offers you food you cannot digest. It is part of basic 'survival French' for health and dining. You should also recognize the adjective 'intolérant' (intolerant), as in 'Je suis intolérant au gluten'. This is a slightly simpler way to say the same thing. In A1, the goal is simply to recognize the word and use it in a basic sentence to protect your health.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use intolérance to describe your health in more detail. You are expected to move beyond just saying 'I have an intolerance' to explaining the consequences or asking questions. For example, you should be able to ask a waiter, 'Est-ce que ce plat contient du lactose ? J'ai une intolérance.' You should also understand that 'intolérance' is different from 'allergie' (allergy). An intolerance is about digestion, while an allergy is more dangerous. You can start using adjectives to describe the intolerance, like 'légère' (slight) or 'sévère' (severe). You will also notice this word in more contexts, such as school forms or health brochures. At this level, you should be comfortable with the contraction of the preposition: 'au' for masculine (lactose, gluten) and 'à la' for feminine. You are also learning to use the word in the past tense, such as 'J'ai découvert mon intolérance l'année dernière' (I discovered my intolerance last year). The A2 learner uses this word to navigate daily life in a Francophone country, ensuring they can shop and eat out safely. It's a key part of the vocabulary for the theme 'Health and Body'. You should also be aware that the word can be used for social situations, though food remains the primary focus at this stage. Mastery at A2 means using the word correctly with its feminine article and the correct prepositional phrase.

At the B1 level, you can discuss the causes and effects of intolérance with more nuance. You should be able to describe symptoms like 'douleurs abdominales' (abdominal pain) or 'ballonnements' (bloating) that result from an intolerance. You can participate in a conversation about dietary trends, such as the rise of gluten-free products in France. You might say, 'Il y a de plus en plus de gens qui souffrent d'une intolérance au gluten de nos jours.' You should also be able to understand more complex texts about health, where 'intolérance' might be used alongside terms like 'enzymes', 'digestion', and 'régime alimentaire'. At B1, you start to use the word in more formal structures, like 'En raison de mon intolérance...' (Due to my intolerance...). You can also use the word in its social sense more effectively, discussing 'l'intolérance religieuse' or 'l'intolérance politique' in a basic debate. However, you still primarily use it for health. You are expected to know the difference between 'être intolérant' (the state) and 'avoir une intolérance' (the condition). You can also use related verbs like 'supporter' (to tolerate/stand), as in 'Mon corps ne supporte pas le lactose'. This provides variety in your speech. Mastery at B1 means being able to have a full conversation with a doctor or a friend about how your intolerance affects your daily life and what substitutes you use in your cooking.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use intolérance in technical and abstract discussions. You can explain the biological mechanism of an intolerance, such as the lack of a specific enzyme. You might use the word in an argumentative essay about food safety or the ethics of food labeling. For example, 'L'étiquetage doit être plus précis pour protéger les personnes souffrant d'intolérances diverses.' You are also expected to handle the social and philosophical meanings of the word with ease. You can discuss 'l'intolérance aux idées d'autrui' (intolerance to others' ideas) in a complex debate. Your vocabulary should include synonyms and related concepts like 'hypersensibilité', 'maladie cœliaque', and 'réaction métabolique'. At B2, you understand the subtle difference in register between 'intolérance' (formal/medical) and 'ne pas digérer' (informal). You can read scientific articles in French magazines like 'Sciences et Avenir' that discuss the latest research into food intolerances. You should also be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'Bien que mon intolérance soit légère, je préfère éviter tout risque.' Mastery at B2 involves using the word accurately across multiple domains—medical, social, and legal—and understanding its implications in each. You can also discuss the 'seuil de tolérance' (tolerance threshold), which is the point at which a substance starts to cause symptoms.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the nuances of intolérance. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as medical research, legal regulations regarding food allergens, or philosophical treatises on social tolerance. You are aware of the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots to its modern medical application. You can discuss the 'pathologisation' of food intolerances in modern society and the sociological impact of dietary identities. In speech, you use the word with precision, distinguishing it from 'allergie', 'sensibilité', and 'auto-immunité'. You can also use the word metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism. For example, 'Une intolérance croissante face à l'incertitude' (A growing intolerance toward uncertainty). Your grammar is perfect, and you can manipulate the word within complex rhetorical devices. You might explore the paradox of tolerance (le paradoxe de la tolérance) where 'intolérance' is a central theme. In a professional medical setting, you would use the term to discuss 'l'intolérance aux statines' or other medications, showing the word's breadth beyond just food. At C1, your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, showing a sensitivity to both its literal and figurative weights. You can also analyze how the term is used in marketing to target specific consumer groups, often critiquing the 'mode' (trend) of certain intolerances versus the medical reality.

At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of intolérance and its vast semantic field. You can engage in academic discourse on the 'épistémologie de l'intolérance' (epistemology of intolerance) or the 'physiopathologie' of metabolic disorders. You can write or speak about the word's role in shaping social contracts and individual liberties. You understand the most obscure uses of the word, such as in chemistry or engineering (though rare, the concept of material 'intolerance' to certain conditions exists). You can deconstruct the word's usage in political manifestos or classic French literature (e.g., Voltaire's 'Traité sur la tolérance', where the inverse, intolérance, is the villain). You can discuss the 'intolérance systémique' in various structures. Your ability to switch between the medical, social, and philosophical meanings is fluid and sophisticated. You can use the word to create subtle irony or deep pathos in creative writing. For a C2 learner, 'intolérance' is not just a vocabulary item but a conceptual tool used to analyze and describe complex human and biological systems. You can also discuss the 'diagnostic différentiel' (differential diagnosis) of various intolerances in a professional medical context. Your mastery is such that you can explain the nuances of the word to others, including its etymological journey and its role in modern French cultural identity, particularly in the context of 'laïcité' and social acceptance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

intolérance in 30 Seconds

Intolérance is a French noun meaning the body's inability to digest certain foods, like lactose or gluten, causing discomfort but not immediate danger.
It is a feminine noun (une intolérance) and is strictly distinguished from 'allergie' in medical contexts to avoid confusion about the severity of reactions.
Commonly used in restaurants and medical settings, it requires prepositions like 'au' or 'à la' when specifying the problematic food or substance.
While it also refers to social or religious intolerance, its most frequent use for language learners is within the context of dietary health and shopping.

The French word intolérance is a feminine noun that, in a medical and dietary context, refers specifically to the body's inability to digest or process certain substances, most commonly types of food. Unlike a food allergy, which involves the immune system and can be life-threatening, an intolérance typically involves the digestive system and results in discomfort rather than anaphylaxis. In the modern Francophone world, discussions around health and wellness have brought this word into the daily vernacular, especially when dining out or shopping for groceries. You will frequently encounter it paired with specific substances, most notably l'intolérance au lactose (lactose intolerance) or l'intolérance au gluten (gluten intolerance). It is important to note that while the word also carries a social meaning—the refusal to accept different beliefs or people—its primary use at the CEFR A2 level is related to health and food.

Medical Context: In a medical setting, physicians use this term to describe a metabolic deficiency where the body lacks the necessary enzymes to break down specific nutrients. For example, a lack of lactase leads to an intolerance to milk products.

Mon médecin a confirmé que mes maux de ventre sont causés par une intolérance au lactose.

Social Context: Broadly, it can refer to a lack of respect for practices or beliefs other than one's own, such as religious or political intolerance. However, in a restaurant, it always refers to food.

Il y a de plus en plus de produits pour les personnes souffrant d'intolérance au gluten dans les supermarchés français.

Scientific Nuance: Biologically, an intolerance means the body produces a negative reaction that is functional rather than immunological. It is a matter of digestion and absorption efficiency.

L'intolérance alimentaire peut provoquer une grande fatigue et des douleurs abdominales chroniques.

Cette boulangerie propose des gâteaux sans farine pour ceux qui ont une intolérance.

L'étiquetage des produits mentionne désormais systématiquement les risques d'intolérance.

Understanding this word is crucial for navigating French menus and communicating health needs clearly to servers and hosts. As French cuisine often relies heavily on butter, cream, and bread, knowing how to express an intolérance is a vital survival skill for any traveler or resident with dietary restrictions.

Using the word intolérance correctly requires attention to its grammatical environment. As a feminine noun, it is preceded by articles like une, l', or votre. The most common sentence pattern involves the verb avoir (to have) or souffrir de (to suffer from). For example, 'J'ai une intolérance au lactose' is the standard way to inform someone of your condition. If you want to be more formal, you might say, 'Je souffre d'une intolérance digestive'. Notice how the preposition au (contracted à + le) is used before masculine nouns like gluten or lactose.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The noun 'intolérance' is the subject in sentences like 'Son intolérance est difficile à gérer'. Here, the adjective 'difficile' agrees with the feminine noun.

Est-ce que ce plat contient du lait ? J'ai une intolérance sévère.

Using with Prepositions: Always use 'à' or its contractions. 'Intolérance au gluten', 'Intolérance à la caséine', 'Intolérance aux œufs'.

L'intolérance au fructose est moins connue que celle au lactose mais tout aussi gênante.

Plural Usage: When talking about multiple types, use 'les intolérances'. 'Les intolérances alimentaires sont en augmentation'.

Depuis que j'ai découvert mon intolérance, je me sens beaucoup mieux.

Il est important de ne pas confondre une simple intolérance avec une allergie grave.

Ma sœur a développé une intolérance soudaine aux produits laitiers après son voyage.

By mastering these patterns, you can navigate social dining situations with confidence. Remember that the word functions as a standard noun, so it can be modified by adjectives like sévère (severe), légère (light), or chronique (chronic). In common speech, people might shorten their explanation to just the substance, but using the full term 'intolérance' ensures you are taken seriously regarding your health requirements.

In France, a country famous for its bread, cheese, and wine, the word intolérance is heard in several specific settings. The most common is the boulangerie or pâtisserie, where customers now frequently ask about ingredients. You will also hear it in cabinets médicaux (doctors' offices) when discussing digestive health. In television health programs like 'Allô Docteurs', the term is used frequently to educate the public on the difference between allergies and intolerances. Another common place is the supermarket aisle, specifically in the 'diététique' or 'bio' sections, where labels often scream 'Sans gluten' or 'Spécial intolérance'.

In Restaurants: Servers often ask, 'Avez-vous des allergies ou des intolérances ?' before taking your order in modern or high-end establishments.

Pardon, est-ce que ce pain convient à une personne avec une intolérance au gluten ?

In Schools: Parents must declare any 'intolérance alimentaire' to the school canteen so that a special 'PAI' (Project d'Accueil Individualisé) can be established for the child.

La cantine propose un menu alternatif en cas d'intolérance au lactose.

In Pharmacie: Pharmacists might recommend enzymes or probiotics to help manage symptoms of a known intolerance.

Avez-vous quelque chose pour soulager mon intolérance après un repas trop riche ?

Le reportage d'hier traitait de l'augmentation des cas d'intolérance au gluten en Europe.

L'association des patients souffrant d'intolérance organise une conférence samedi.

In summary, while the word has a high-level scientific feel, its practical application is ubiquitous in modern French life. Whether you are reading a label on a yogurt pot, discussing your health with a 'médecin généraliste', or simply ordering a 'café au lait' with soy milk, the word intolérance is the technical anchor for all these interactions.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing intolérance with allergie. While they are often used interchangeably in casual English ('I'm allergic to milk' when you're actually lactose intolerant), in French, allergie implies a much more serious medical state. If you tell a chef you have an 'allergie au gluten', they may treat it as a life-or-death situation, cleaning the entire kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. If you have a digestive sensitivity, use intolérance to be accurate. Another mistake is the gender; it is feminine, so it is always une intolérance, never un.

Preposition Error: Learners often say 'intolérance de lactose'. This is incorrect. Use 'au' (intolérance au lactose).

Ne dites pas : J'ai un intolérance. Dites : J'ai une intolérance.

False Friend Confusion: In English, 'intolerance' is often used for social behavior. In French, while it exists, using it for 'impatience' is a mistake. 'Il est impatient' is better than 'Il a une intolérance'.

Correct : Mon intolérance m'empêche de manger du fromage.

Spelling Slip-ups: Note the acute accent on the 'é' (intolérance). English speakers often forget this accent, which changes the pronunciation of the vowel.

L'accent sur le 'é' dans intolérance est indispensable pour une bonne prononciation.

Elle a une intolérance au sucre, donc elle évite les bonbons.

L'intolérance n'est pas une maladie imaginaire, c'est une réalité biologique.

Finally, be careful not to use 'intolérance' when you simply 'dislike' something. If you hate spinach, you don't have an 'intolérance aux épinards', you just have a 'dégoût' or you 'n'aimez pas' them. Using the medical term for a preference can sound overly dramatic or hypochondriac to native speakers. Stick to using it for actual physiological reactions to ensure clarity and respect for the medical term.

When discussing dietary restrictions, several words orbit intolérance. Knowing the differences helps you fine-tune your communication. The most obvious is allergie, which we've noted is more severe. Another is sensibilité (sensitivity), which is often used for less severe but still noticeable reactions, particularly with gluten ('sensibilité au gluten non cœliaque'). Then there is malabsorption, a more technical term used by doctors to describe the result of an intolerance.

Intolérance vs. Allergie: L'intolérance est digestive ; l'allergie est immunitaire. L'allergie peut causer un choc anaphylactique, l'intolérance non.

Sa intolérance est gérable, mais son allergie aux arachides est mortelle.

Sensibilité: Often used when tests for 'intolérance' are negative but the patient still feels unwell. It's a 'lighter' term.

Une intolérance au lactose peut être traitée avec des enzymes en pharmacie.

Régime spécifique: Instead of saying you have an intolerance, you can say 'Je suis un régime sans gluten' (I follow a gluten-free diet).

L'intolérance alimentaire nécessite souvent un changement de mode de vie.

Il y a une différence entre une intolérance passagère et une condition permanente.

L'intolérance au glucose est un signe précurseur du diabète.

Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that best fits the severity and context of your situation. While 'intolérance' is your reliable 'workhorse' word for dietary issues, knowing when to use 'sensibilité' or 'allergie' will make your French sound much more natural and precise. In a medical file, you might even see 'déficit en lactase', which is the scientific cause of the intolerance itself.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The medical use of the word 'intolérance' is relatively modern compared to its social use. It only became common in medical literature in the 20th century as digestive sciences advanced.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛ̃.tɔ.le.ʁɑ̃s/

US /ɛ̃.tɔ.le.ʁɑ̃s/

The stress in French is generally on the last syllable: in-to-lé-RANCE.

Rhymes With

espérance souffrance confiance chance danse vacance élégance importance

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'in' like the English word 'in' instead of the French nasal /ɛ̃/.
Forgetting the accent on the 'é', making it sound like 'uh' instead of 'ay'.
Pronouncing the final 'e' which should be silent.
Using an English 'r' instead of the French 'r' at the back of the throat.
Stress on the first syllable like in English 'IN-tolerance'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'intolerance'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the acute accent.

Speaking 3/5

Nasal 'in' and final 'rance' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to spot in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

manger boire lait pain mal

Learn Next

allergie digestion symptôme ordonnance régime

Advanced

maladie cœliaque anaphylaxie enzymatique métabolisme assimilation

Grammar to Know

Contractions with 'à'

Intolérance + à + le = Intolérance au lactose.

Feminine Noun Gender

Une intolérance sévère (add 'e' to the adjective).

Possessive Adjectives before Vowels

Mon intolérance (not 'ma') because it starts with 'i'.

Preposition 'de' with 'souffrir'

Je souffre d'une intolérance (elision with 'd').

Plural agreement

Les intolérances alimentaires (both plural).

Examples by Level

J'ai une intolérance au lait.

I have a milk intolerance.

Uses 'une' because 'intolérance' is feminine.

Elle ne mange pas de pain à cause de son intolérance.

She doesn't eat bread because of her intolerance.

Uses 'son' (possessive adjective) before a feminine noun starting with a vowel.

Est-ce une intolérance au gluten ?

Is it a gluten intolerance?

Interrogative form with 'est-ce'.

Le médecin dit que c'est une intolérance.

The doctor says it is an intolerance.

Simple declarative sentence.

Je cherche des produits sans intolérance.

I am looking for products for intolerances.

Plural use after 'pour' is also common.

Mon intolérance est difficile.

My intolerance is difficult.

Adjective 'difficile' modifies the noun.

Il y a du fromage ? J'ai une intolérance.

Is there cheese? I have an intolerance.

Direct question followed by a statement of condition.

C'est une petite intolérance au sucre.

It is a small sugar intolerance.

Use of 'petite' as a qualifying adjective.

Je souffre d'une intolérance au lactose depuis l'enfance.

I have suffered from lactose intolerance since childhood.

Uses the verb 'souffrir de'.

Pouvez-vous préparer ce plat sans gluten pour mon intolérance ?

Can you prepare this dish without gluten for my intolerance?

Asking for a modification based on a health need.

L'intolérance alimentaire n'est pas une allergie.

Food intolerance is not an allergy.

Negation with 'ne... pas'.

Quels sont les symptômes de votre intolérance ?

What are the symptoms of your intolerance?

Use of 'quels' to ask for specific information.

J'ai découvert mon intolérance grâce à un test.

I discovered my intolerance thanks to a test.

Past tense 'passé composé' with 'avoir'.

Cette boulangerie est parfaite pour mon intolérance au gluten.

This bakery is perfect for my gluten intolerance.

Prepositional phrase 'pour mon intolérance'.

Il doit faire attention à son intolérance au fructose.

He must pay attention to his fructose intolerance.

Modal verb 'doit' followed by 'faire attention'.

Les intolérances sont de plus en plus fréquentes.

Intolerances are more and more frequent.

Plural noun with plural adjective 'fréquentes'.

L'intolérance au lactose provoque souvent des ballonnements gênants.

Lactose intolerance often causes annoying bloating.

Use of technical symptom vocabulary.

Si j'ignore mon intolérance, je me sens très fatigué le lendemain.

If I ignore my intolerance, I feel very tired the next day.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Il est nécessaire d'adapter son régime en cas d'intolérance sévère.

It is necessary to adapt one's diet in case of severe intolerance.

Impersonal construction 'il est nécessaire de'.

Beaucoup de gens confondent l'intolérance et l'allergie alimentaire.

Many people confuse intolerance and food allergy.

Verb 'confondre' with two objects.

L'intolérance au gluten peut être difficile à diagnostiquer au début.

Gluten intolerance can be difficult to diagnose at first.

Passive infinitive 'être diagnostiqué'.

Ma sœur a une intolérance, donc nous cuisinons toujours sans produits laitiers.

My sister has an intolerance, so we always cook without dairy products.

Conjunction 'donc' showing consequence.

Existe-t-il des médicaments pour soulager cette intolérance ?

Are there medications to relieve this intolerance?

Inversion in a question with 'existe-t-il'.

L'intolérance au sucre est souvent liée à des problèmes de digestion.

Sugar intolerance is often linked to digestion problems.

Past participle 'liée' agreeing with the feminine noun.

L'intolérance au lactose résulte d'un déficit en lactase dans l'intestin grêle.

Lactose intolerance results from a lactase deficiency in the small intestine.

Scientific vocabulary ('déficit', 'intestin grêle').

Le débat sur l'intolérance religieuse occupe une place centrale dans les médias.

The debate on religious intolerance occupies a central place in the media.

Abstract use of the word in a social context.

Bien que l'intolérance soit contraignante, il existe aujourd'hui de nombreuses alternatives.

Although intolerance is restrictive, many alternatives exist today.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

Les industriels doivent indiquer les risques d'intolérance sur chaque emballage.

Manufacturers must indicate intolerance risks on every package.

Modal verb 'doivent' expressing obligation.

L'intolérance au gluten ne doit pas être prise à la légère par les restaurateurs.

Gluten intolerance must not be taken lightly by restaurant owners.

Passive voice with a modal verb.

Certaines intolérances peuvent apparaître subitement à l'âge adulte.

Some intolerances can appear suddenly in adulthood.

Adverb 'subitement' modifying the verb.

L'intolérance au glucose est un indicateur important pour le dépistage du diabète.

Glucose intolerance is an important indicator for diabetes screening.

Technical medical term 'dépistage'.

On observe une intolérance croissante envers les discours extrémistes.

We observe a growing intolerance toward extremist speeches.

Metaphorical use in a political context.

L'intolérance au gluten, ou maladie cœliaque, nécessite une éviction totale du blé.

Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, requires total avoidance of wheat.

Use of apposition to define a technical term.

Le traité de Voltaire dénonce l'intolérance comme un fléau pour la civilisation.

Voltaire's treatise denounces intolerance as a scourge for civilization.

Literary and historical reference.

L'intolérance systémique peut freiner l'innovation au sein d'une entreprise.

Systemic intolerance can hinder innovation within a company.

Abstract usage in business/sociology.

Il convient de distinguer l'intolérance physiologique de la simple préférence gustative.

It is appropriate to distinguish physiological intolerance from simple taste preference.

Formal construction 'il convient de'.

L'intolérance aux statines complique souvent le traitement de l'hypercholestérolémie.

Intolerance to statines often complicates the treatment of high cholesterol.

Specific medical pharmacology context.

La montée de l'intolérance sociale est souvent liée à une précarité économique accrue.

The rise of social intolerance is often linked to increased economic precariousness.

Complex cause-and-effect structure.

L'intolérance au fructose peut entraîner une malabsorption sévère des nutriments.

Fructose intolerance can lead to severe malabsorption of nutrients.

Advanced medical vocabulary ('malabsorption').

Il a manifesté une intolérance flagrante à toute forme de critique constructive.

He showed a blatant intolerance to any form of constructive criticism.

Psychological usage of the term.

L'intolérance, dans son acception médicale, renvoie à une incapacité métabolique d'assimilation.

Intolerance, in its medical sense, refers to a metabolic inability to assimilate.

Highly formal 'acception' and 'renvoie à'.

Le paradoxe de Popper souligne que l'intolérance ne doit pas être tolérée par une société libre.

Popper's paradox highlights that intolerance must not be tolerated by a free society.

Philosophical and logical complexity.

La symptomatologie de l'intolérance au lactose varie grandement selon le polymorphisme génétique.

The symptomatology of lactose intolerance varies greatly according to genetic polymorphism.

Technical scientific terms ('symptomatologie', 'polymorphisme').

L'intolérance aux incertitudes épistémiques caractérise souvent les périodes de crise majeure.

Intolerance to epistemic uncertainties often characterizes periods of major crisis.

Abstract academic language.

Une intolérance immunologique, bien que rare, peut être induite par certains traitements lourds.

An immunological intolerance, though rare, can be induced by certain heavy treatments.

Nuanced medical distinction.

L'œuvre explore l'intolérance viscérale du protagoniste face à la modernité galopante.

The work explores the protagonist's visceral intolerance toward galloping modernity.

Literary analysis style.

L'intolérance au glucose peut s'avérer être le prélude à un syndrome métabolique complexe.

Glucose intolerance can turn out to be the prelude to a complex metabolic syndrome.

Refined phrasing 's'avérer être le prélude'.

On ne saurait occulter l'intolérance structurelle qui persiste au sein de nos institutions.

One cannot overlook the structural intolerance that persists within our institutions.

High-level 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.

Common Collocations

intolérance au lactose

intolérance au gluten

développer une intolérance

souffrir d'une intolérance

intolérance alimentaire

tester une intolérance

intolérance religieuse

seuil d'intolérance

signes d'intolérance

gérer une intolérance

Common Phrases

J'ai une intolérance au...

— The standard way to declare a dietary restriction. It is polite and clear.

J'ai une intolérance au lactose, donc pas de crème pour moi, merci.

Sans risque d'intolérance

— Commonly seen on food labels. It assures the consumer the product is safe.

Ce yaourt est garanti sans risque d'intolérance pour les enfants.

En cas d'intolérance

— A phrase used in instructions or menus to provide alternatives. It means 'In case of intolerance'.

En cas d'intolérance au gluten, nous proposons des pâtes de riz.

Lutter contre l'intolérance

— Used in social and political contexts to mean 'fighting against intolerance'.

Cette association travaille pour lutter contre l'intolérance dans les écoles.

Une intolérance passagère

— Refers to a temporary digestive issue. It implies it might go away.

C'est peut-être juste une intolérance passagère due au stress.

Diagnostic d'intolérance

— The formal medical confirmation of the condition. It is a very serious term.

Le diagnostic d'intolérance a changé ses habitudes de consommation.

Régime spécial intolérance

— A diet specifically designed for people with digestive sensitivities.

Il suit un régime spécial intolérance prescrit par son nutritionniste.

Symptômes d'intolérance

— The physical signs that someone is reacting poorly to a food. It covers bloating, pain, etc.

Les symptômes d'intolérance peuvent varier d'une personne à l'autre.

Intolérance croisée

— A medical term where an intolerance to one thing leads to a reaction to another.

L'intolérance croisée entre certains pollens et fruits est fascinante.

Zéro intolérance

— A slogan or policy, usually in social contexts, meaning 'zero tolerance'.

Notre entreprise applique une politique de zéro intolérance envers le harcèlement.

Often Confused With

intolérance vs allergie

An allergy is an immune response (dangerous), while an intolerance is a digestive issue (discomfort).

intolérance vs dégoût

A 'dégoût' is just a strong dislike of a taste, not a physical inability to process it.

intolérance vs impatience

In English, 'intolerance' can mean 'impatience', but in French, 'impatience' is a separate word.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ne pas pouvoir piffrer"

— While not using the word 'intolérance', this slang idiom means to have a total intolerance for someone. It is very informal.

Je ne peux pas le piffrer, il est tellement arrogant.

slang

"Être allergique à (quelque chose)"

— Used metaphorically to mean you hate or cannot stand something, similar to social intolerance.

Je suis allergique au travail administratif.

informal

"Avoir une sainte horreur de"

— To have a deep, almost 'intolerant' hatred for something.

Elle a une sainte horreur des mensonges.

neutral

"La goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase"

— The last straw. Related to reaching one's 'seuil de tolérance'.

Ce retard, c'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase de mon intolérance.

neutral

"C'est plus fort que moi"

— Expressing an inability to control a reaction, often used when someone can't tolerate a behavior.

Je dois corriger ses fautes, c'est plus fort que moi.

informal

"Monter sur ses grands chevaux"

— To get angry or intolerant about a specific point of view quickly.

Dès qu'on parle de politique, il monte sur ses grands chevaux.

informal

"Faire la sourde oreille"

— To ignore something, often a form of passive intolerance toward others' requests.

Il fait la sourde oreille à mes plaintes sur son bruit.

neutral

"Avoir les nerfs à vif"

— To be extremely sensitive or intolerant to any stimulus due to stress.

Avec ce bruit constant, j'ai les nerfs à vif.

informal

"Prendre la mouche"

— To take offense easily, showing a low tolerance for jokes or criticism.

Ne lui dis rien, il prend la mouche pour un rien.

informal

"C'est le bouquet"

— Used when something is the 'peak' of an intolerable situation.

Et maintenant il pleut ? C'est le bouquet !

informal

Easily Confused

intolérance vs intolérant

It is the adjective form.

'Intolérance' is the noun (the thing you have), 'intolérant' is the adjective (what you are).

J'ai une intolérance (noun). Je suis intolérant (adjective).

intolérance vs insupportable

Related to not being able to 'support' or 'tolerate' something.

'Insupportable' describes something that is annoying or unbearable, not a medical condition.

Ce bruit est insupportable !

intolérance vs indigestion

Both involve stomach pain.

An 'indigestion' is a one-time event from eating too much or bad food. An 'intolérance' is a chronic condition.

J'ai fait une indigestion hier soir.

intolérance vs sensibilité

Often used for gluten.

Sensibilité is usually less severe or clinically defined than a full intolerance.

J'ai une sensibilité au gluten.

intolérance vs toxicité

Both mean a food is 'bad' for you.

Toxicity means the food is poisonous to everyone. Intolerance is specific to your body.

La toxicité de ce champignon est réelle.

Sentence Patterns

J'ai une intolérance au [food].

J'ai une intolérance au lait.

Je ne peux pas manger de [food] à cause d'une intolérance.

Je ne peux pas manger de pain à cause d'une intolérance.

Depuis que j'ai cette intolérance, je dois [action].

Depuis que j'ai cette intolérance, je dois vérifier toutes les étiquettes.

Il est possible de remplacer le [food] en cas d'intolérance.

Il est possible de remplacer le beurre par de l'huile en cas d'intolérance.

L'intolérance se manifeste par des [symptoms].

L'intolérance se manifeste par des maux d'estomac.

Malgré mon intolérance, j'arrive à [action].

Malgré mon intolérance, j'arrive à manger équilibré.

Le diagnostic d'une intolérance nécessite souvent [medical action].

Le diagnostic d'une intolérance nécessite souvent une biopsie intestinale.

On assiste à une recrudescence des intolérances liée à [complex cause].

On assiste à une recrudescence des intolérances liée à l'industrialisation alimentaire.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in health, dining, and social debates.

Common Mistakes

J'ai un intolérance. → J'ai une intolérance.
Intolérance is feminine, so you must use the feminine article 'une'.
Intolérance de gluten. → Intolérance au gluten.
We use the preposition 'à' (contracted to 'au' or 'aux') to specify the substance, not 'de'.
Je suis intolérance. → J'ai une intolérance / Je suis intolérant.
You cannot 'be' the noun. You must 'have' the noun or 'be' the adjective.
Pronouncing the 'in' like 'een'. → Pronouncing it as a nasal /ɛ̃/.
The 'in' sound in French is nasal and shouldn't sound like the English 'in'.
Using 'intolérance' for a simple dislike. → Je n'aime pas ça / Je déteste ça.
'Intolérance' is a medical term. Using it for a preference sounds exaggerated.

Tips

Gender Memory

Remember that almost all French words ending in '-ance' are feminine (la chance, la France, l'intolérance). This is a reliable rule for your writing.

Lactose vs Milk

You can say 'intolérance au lactose' or 'intolérance aux produits laitiers'. The first is the substance, the second is the food group.

Nasal 'In'

The first sound 'in' is nasal. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth. Keep the sound in your nose.

Ordering in France

If you have a serious intolerance, don't be shy. French waiters are more and more aware of these needs, especially in big cities.

The Accent

Always check for the 'é'. In French, 'e' and 'é' are different letters with different sounds. 'Intolérance' needs that sharp 'é'.

Pharmacy Help

In France, you can buy 'lactase' in a pharmacie to help with lactose intolerance. Just ask: 'Avez-vous des compléments pour l'intolérance au lactose ?'

Social Meaning

If you read about 'l'intolérance' in a newspaper, it's probably about politics or religion, not food. Context is key!

Cognate Advantage

Since it's so similar to English, focus your energy on the pronunciation and the gender rather than the meaning.

Liaison

When saying 'une intolérance', pronounce the 'n' of 'une' and link it to the 'i' of 'intolérance'. It sounds like 'un-nintolérance'.

Be Specific

Instead of just saying 'J'ai une intolérance', always try to add what it is (au gluten, au lactose) to be more helpful to others.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN-TO-LE-RANCE'. 'IN' (not) + 'TOLE' (like 'toll', a price to pay) + 'RANCE' (like 'rancid' food). If your body can't pay the 'toll' for food, it becomes 'rancid' in your stomach.

Visual Association

Imagine a tiny 'No Entry' sign sitting inside a stomach, blocking a block of cheese or a loaf of bread.

Word Web

Lactose Gluten Digestion Allergie Estomac Médecin Régime Santé

Challenge

Try to explain your dietary needs to a friend using 'intolérance' and 'parce que'. For example: 'Je ne mange pas de pizza parce que j'ai une intolérance au gluten'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'intolerantia', which means 'impatience' or 'insufferableness'. It entered the French language in the 14th century, initially carrying purely moral and social connotations.

Original meaning: The quality of being unable to endure or put up with something, usually referring to a person's character.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

When discussing food in France, avoid sounding like you are just being 'picky'. Using the word 'intolérance' signals that it is a medical necessity.

In English, we often use 'allergic' loosely. In French, be careful: 'intolérance' is the correct, safer term for non-life-threatening digestive issues.

Voltaire's 'Traité sur la tolérance' (where he attacks social intolérance). Modern French health campaigns like 'Manger Bouger' which mention dietary sensitivities. The film 'Intouchables' where social boundaries and tolerances are explored.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Restaurant

J'ai une intolérance au lactose.
Ce plat est-il adapté à une intolérance ?
Y a-t-il du gluten ? J'ai une intolérance.
Je ne peux pas manger ça à cause d'une intolérance.

At the Doctor

Je pense avoir une intolérance.
Quels tests faire pour une intolérance ?
Mes symptômes indiquent une intolérance.
Comment gérer mon intolérance ?

At the Supermarket

Où sont les produits pour intolérances ?
C'est marqué 'sans gluten' pour mon intolérance.
Je vérifie les étiquettes pour mon intolérance.
Avez-vous du lait pour intolérance au lactose ?

Social Gathering

Désolé, j'ai une petite intolérance.
Je vais apporter mon propre pain pour mon intolérance.
C'est gentil, mais mon intolérance m'empêche d'en manger.
Ne t'inquiète pas, c'est juste une intolérance.

School/Work

Je dois déclarer une intolérance alimentaire.
Voici mon certificat médical pour l'intolérance.
Le menu de la cantine respecte-t-il les intolérances ?
Il y a une option pour les intolérances au déjeuner.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu as des intolérances alimentaires particulières ?"

"Connais-tu un bon restaurant pour les personnes avec une intolérance au gluten ?"

"Comment as-tu découvert ton intolérance au lactose ?"

"Est-ce que c'est difficile de cuisiner avec une intolérance au quotidien ?"

"Penses-tu que les intolérances sont plus fréquentes qu'avant ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris comment ton intolérance alimentaire a changé tes habitudes de repas.

Imagine un menu de fête parfait pour quelqu'un qui a une intolérance au lactose.

Raconte une situation drôle ou difficile au restaurant liée à une intolérance.

Pourquoi est-il important que les restaurants connaissent les intolérances des clients ?

Ecris une lettre à un ami pour expliquer ton intolérance au gluten.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

L'intolérance est un problème de digestion (souvent un manque d'enzymes) qui cause des douleurs. L'allergie est une réaction du système immunitaire qui peut être très grave et rapide. Par exemple, l'intolérance au lactose cause des maux de ventre, mais l'allergie au lait peut empêcher de respirer.

Vous pouvez dire 'Je suis intolérant au lactose' (si vous êtes un homme) ou 'Je suis intolérante au lactose' (si vous êtes une femme). Une autre façon très courante est de dire 'J'ai une intolérance au lactose'.

C'est un nom féminin. On dit 'une intolérance' ou 'l'intolérance'. Par exemple : 'Une intolérance sévère'.

Oui, mais c'est un sens différent. 'L'intolérance' envers les autres signifie que l'on n'accepte pas leurs idées ou leur différence. C'est le contraire de la tolérance sociale.

Les symptômes les plus fréquents sont les maux de ventre, les ballonnements, la fatigue et parfois des maux de tête. Ils arrivent généralement quelques heures après avoir mangé.

Vous pouvez dire : 'Bonjour, j'ai une intolérance au gluten. Avez-vous des plats adaptés ?' ou 'Est-ce que ce plat contient du gluten ?'.

Souvent oui, car c'est un manque d'enzymes (la lactase). Mais certaines personnes peuvent tolérer de petites quantités de produits laitiers ou utiliser des médicaments.

Le pluriel est 'intolérances'. On ajoute simplement un 's' à la fin. Exemple : 'Il a plusieurs intolérances alimentaires'.

Il vient du latin 'intolerantia'. Au début, il signifiait l'incapacité à supporter quelque chose moralement. Le sens médical est arrivé beaucoup plus tard.

Oui, il prend un accent aigu sur le premier 'e' : intolérance. C'est très important pour la prononciation correcte de la voyelle.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Écrivez une phrase pour dire que vous avez une intolérance au lactose.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple declaration using 'avoir'.