I am allergic to...
in SpanishSoy alérgico a... / Soy alérgica a...
/soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah / soy ah-LEHR-hee-kah ah/
The standard way to state an allergy. Use 'alérgico' if you identify as male, and 'alérgica' if you identify as female.
Using the phrase 'Soy alérgico' helps you communicate dietary needs safely in restaurants.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Tengo alergia a...
/TEN-goh ah-LEHR-hee-ah ah/
Literally 'I have an allergy to.' This is extremely common and useful because you don't have to worry about changing the gender of the adjective.
No puedo comer...
/noh PWEH-doh koh-MEHR/
Means 'I cannot eat...' A direct, functional way to explain dietary restrictions without using medical terms.
Soy celíaco / Soy celíaca
/soy seh-LEE-ah-koh / soy seh-LEE-ah-kah/
Specific term for 'I am celiac.' Like the primary phrase, the ending changes based on your gender.
Me hace daño...
/meh AH-seh DAH-nyoh/
Literally 'It does me harm' or 'It makes me sick.' A common way to say a food disagrees with you.
Soy intolerante a...
/soy in-toh-leh-RAHN-teh ah/
Used for intolerances rather than allergies, most commonly with lactose (lactosa) or gluten (gluten).
Tengo una alergia severa a...
/TEN-goh OO-nah ah-LEHR-hee-ah seh-VEH-rah ah/
Means 'I have a severe allergy to.' Adds weight to the statement.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here is a quick guide to choosing the right phrase based on your specific needs.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soy alérgico/a a... | Neutral | Standard medical allergies | You are unsure of gender agreement |
| Tengo alergia a... | Neutral | Anyone (gender-neutral option) | N/A (Safe for all) |
| No puedo comer... | Neutral | Dietary preferences or intolerances | You need to convey a life-threatening emergency |
| Me hace daño... | Casual | Food that upsets your stomach | Talking to a doctor about a diagnosis |
📈Difficulty Level
Very easy as it's a cognate, but remember the 'g' sounds like an 'h' (hee-co), not a hard 'g'.
Straightforward, with the only challenge being gender agreement (o/a).
Requires knowing specific food vocabulary (names of nuts, seafood) which varies by region.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering gender endings
- Regional names for specific foods (peanut vs. maní)
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, soy alérgica a los mariscos.
Excuse me, I am allergic (female) to shellfish.
No puedo comer nada que tenga nueces.
I can't eat anything that has nuts.
¿Este plato lleva lácteos? Tengo alergia.
Does this dish contain dairy? I have an allergy.
Si como cacahuates, se me cierra la garganta.
If I eat peanuts, my throat closes up.
🌍Cultural Context
Taking Allergies Seriously
In major cities and tourist areas in Spain and Latin America, food allergies are taken very seriously in restaurants. However, in smaller towns or street food stalls (puestos), understanding of 'cross-contamination' might be lower. It is always safer to emphasize that the allergy is 'muy peligrosa' (very dangerous) if you have a severe reaction.
The 'Menu del Día' in Spain
In Spain, many restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch menu. These often don't list every ingredient. If you are in Spain, don't hesitate to ask the waiter '¿Qué lleva este plato?' (What is in this dish?) before ordering, as sauces often contain flour (gluten) or nuts as thickeners.
Peanuts: Maní vs. Cacahuates
If you have a peanut allergy, vocabulary matters! In Mexico and Central America, peanuts are usually called 'cacahuates' (from Nahuatl). In South America (like Argentina and Colombia) and parts of the Caribbean, they are called 'maní'. Knowing the local word could save your life.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Mismatch
Mistake: "A woman saying 'Soy alérgico.'"
Correction: Soy alérgica.
Wrong Preposition
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy alérgico de...' or 'Soy alérgico con...'"
Correction: Soy alérgico a...
Confusing 'Sensitive' with 'Sensible'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy sensible a...' when you mean you have a mild allergy."
Correction: Tengo una sensibilidad a...
💡Pro Tips
Use the 'Tengo' Hack
If you keep forgetting whether to say 'alérgico' or 'alérgica', just say 'Tengo alergia a...' (I have an allergy to...). The word 'alergia' never changes, so you don't have to worry about your gender!
Carry a Chef Card
If your allergy is severe, print a small card in Spanish that lists your allergies and states that your food cannot touch these items. Handing this to the waiter removes the language barrier and stress.
Be Specific with 'Nuts'
The word 'nueces' specifically means walnuts, though it's often used for nuts in general. To be safe, say 'frutos secos' (dried fruits/nuts) to cover all tree nuts, or name the specific nut like 'almendras' (almonds) or 'avellanas' (hazelnuts).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain has very high awareness of Celiac disease. You will often see 'Sin Gluten' signs. For nuts, they use the term 'frutos secos' which encompasses all nuts.
Mexico
Use 'cacahuates' for peanuts. Be careful with 'mole' sauces, as they often contain nuts, seeds, and bread (gluten) as thickeners. 'Mariscos' covers all seafood/shellfish.
Argentina/Uruguay
For gluten-free, look for the logo 'Sin TACC' (Trigo, Avena, Cebada, Centeno). Peanuts are strictly 'maní', not 'cacahuates'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you state your allergy to a waiter
Voy a consultar con el chef.
I'm going to check with the chef.
Muchas gracias, es muy importante.
Thank you very much, it's very important.
When asking if a dish has an ingredient
Creo que no lleva, pero no estoy seguro.
I don't think it has it, but I'm not sure.
¿Podría asegurarse, por favor? Soy muy alérgico.
Could you make sure, please? I am very allergic.
🧠Memory Tricks
'Allergic' and 'Alérgico' look and sound almost identical. Just remember to pronounce the 'g' like a heavy 'h' (as in 'hello'). Think: A-LER-hee-co.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the gender agreement required in Spanish (alérgico vs. alérgica), which doesn't exist in English. Also, Spanish uses 'tener alergia' (to have allergy) much more frequently than English speakers say 'I have an allergy,' making it a very natural alternative to 'I am allergic.'
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Saying 'Estoy enfermo' implies a general illness like a flu, not a reaction to food.
Use instead: Use 'Me cayó mal' (It disagreed with me) for food reactions.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for the bill in Spanish
Essential for finishing your meal after safely ordering.
How to say no sugar in Spanish
Another common dietary restriction phrase.
How to say help me in Spanish
Crucial vocabulary for medical emergencies if you have a reaction.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I am allergic to...
Question 1 of 3
You are a woman at a restaurant in Mexico. How do you say you are allergic to peanuts?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use 'ser' or 'estar' with allergic?
You always use 'ser' (Soy alérgico). Being allergic is considered a permanent characteristic or part of your identity, not a temporary mood or location.
What if I'm not allergic, but just don't like it?
You can say 'No me gusta' (I don't like it) or 'Prefiero no comer...' (I prefer not to eat...). Don't use 'alérgico' if it's just a preference, as staff will take extensive measures to prevent cross-contamination.
How do I ask 'Does this have...?'
You can ask '¿Esto lleva...?' (Does this carry/contain...?) or '¿Tiene...?' (Does it have...?). For example: '¿Esto lleva leche?' (Does this contain milk?).
Is 'Soy alérgico' rude?
Not at all. In Spanish-speaking cultures, being direct about health and food is seen as practical and necessary, not rude. It is better to be clear than polite and sick!
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