I have a food allergy
in SpanishTengo alergia a...
/TEN-goh ah-LEHR-hee-ah ah.../
This is the most direct and standard way to say 'I have an allergy to...' It is grammatically safe because you don't need to change the gender of the words based on who is speaking.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Soy alérgico a... / Soy alérgica a...
/soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah / soy ah-LEHR-hee-kah ah/
This means 'I am allergic to...' Use 'alérgico' if you identify as male and 'alérgica' if you identify as female.
No puedo comer...
/noh PWEH-doh koh-MEHR.../
Literally 'I cannot eat...' This is a broader phrase that covers allergies, intolerances, or strict diets.
Me hace daño...
/meh AH-seh DAH-nyoh.../
Translates to 'It hurts me' or 'It makes me sick.' It implies a bad reaction but is less clinical than 'allergy.'
Soy celíaco / Soy celíaca
/soy seh-LEE-ah-koh / soy seh-LEE-ah-kah/
Specific term for 'I am celiac.' Awareness of celiac disease is particularly high in Spain and Argentina.
¿Esto lleva...?
/EHS-toh YEH-bah...?/
Means 'Does this carry/contain...?' A very common way to ask about ingredients in Spain.
¿Esto tiene...?
/EHS-toh TYEH-neh...?/
Means 'Does this have...?' The standard way to ask about ingredients in Latin America.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choose the right phrase based on your medical needs and the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tengo alergia a... | Neutral | Standard, clear communication of a medical allergy. | You just dislike a food (it sounds too serious). |
| Soy alérgico/a a... | Neutral | Introducing yourself or your medical profile. | You forget to match the gender (male/female). |
| No puedo comer... | Neutral | Dietary restrictions, intolerances, or dislikes. | You have a life-threatening anaphylactic allergy (might not sound urgent enough). |
📈Difficulty Level
The 'g' in 'alergia' makes a guttural 'h' sound, and the stress patterns can be tricky for beginners.
Fairly simple, but requires knowing 'Ser' vs 'Estar' and basic gender agreement.
Requires navigating food culture where refusing food can sometimes be seen as rude unless a medical reason is clearly stated.
Key Challenges:
- Pronouncing the 'g' as 'h'
- Remembering specific vocabulary for your allergen (e.g., shellfish types)
💡Examples in Action
Perdón, tengo alergia a los mariscos. ¿Esta sopa tiene camarones?
Excuse me, I have a shellfish allergy. Does this soup have shrimp?
Soy alérgica al gluten. ¿Tienen opciones sin gluten?
I am allergic to gluten (female speaker). Do you have gluten-free options?
No puedo comer nueces, es muy peligroso para mí.
I cannot eat nuts, it is very dangerous for me.
Cuidado, el niño es alérgico al huevo.
Careful, the boy is allergic to egg.
🌍Cultural Context
Taking Allergies Seriously
In major cities in Spain and Latin America, food allergies are taken very seriously, and EU laws in Spain strictly require allergen labeling. However, in smaller towns or street food stalls (puestos), cross-contamination awareness may be lower. It is always safer to explain that your allergy is 'grave' (serious) or 'peligrosa' (dangerous).
The 'Just a Little Bit' Misunderstanding
In some hospitality cultures, there is a desire to please the guest, and a cook might think removing the allergen from the top of a dish makes it safe. Be very clear that you cannot eat food that has even touched ('tocado') the ingredient.
Gluten in Argentina and Spain
Argentina and Spain are havens for celiacs. In Argentina, look for the 'Sin TACC' logo (Trigo, Avena, Cebada, Centeno) on products, which certifies they are gluten-free. It is widespread and legally regulated.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Estar' instead of 'Ser'
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy alérgico' to describe your condition."
Correction: Soy alérgico/a.
Confusing 'Peanuts' Vocabulary
Mistake: "Using 'nueces' (walnuts/pecans) when you mean peanuts."
Correction: Cacahuates (Mexico) / Maní (South America) / Cacahuetes (Spain).
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "A woman saying 'Soy alérgico'."
Correction: Soy alérgica.
💡Pro Tips
Use the 'Sin' (Without) Formula
When ordering, a quick shorthand is to order your dish followed by 'sin [ingredient].' For example: 'Una ensalada, sin queso, por favor' (A salad, without cheese, please).
Carry a Chef Card
If your Spanish is limited and your allergy is severe, download a 'Chef Card' in Spanish on your phone. Show this to the waiter so they can show the chef. It removes the language barrier.
Be Specific with Fruit
Don't just say you are allergic to 'fruta' (fruit). Name the specific fruit (fresas, kiwi, melocotón), as fruit is a garnish on many desserts and drinks.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain uses 'frutos secos' as the general term for nuts. 'Cacahuetes' are peanuts. Labeling laws are very strict here.
Mexico
Use 'cacahuates' for peanuts. Be careful with moles (sauces) as they often contain blended nuts, seeds, and bread (gluten) which are not visible.
South America (Argentina/Chile/Colombia)
The word for peanut is 'maní' (mah-NEE). In Argentina, gluten-free awareness is massive.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks if it's a preference or medical
¿Es por alergia o preferencia?
Is it for an allergy or preference?
Es una alergia muy grave.
It is a very serious allergy.
Asking about cross-contamination
Se fríe en el mismo aceite.
It is fried in the same oil.
Entonces no puedo comerlo, gracias.
Then I cannot eat it, thank you.
🧠Memory Tricks
This is a near-perfect cognate. Just remember the 'g' makes a soft 'h' sound (ah-LEHR-hee-ah).
Imagine a 'SIN' to eat something that makes you sick. 'Sin' = Without.
🔄How It Differs from English
Spanish is more direct about medical conditions. While in English we might soften it with 'I think I might be allergic,' in Spanish, for safety, it is better to be direct: 'Tengo alergia.' Also, Spanish nouns for foods vary more by region (e.g., peanuts, strawberries, popcorn) than in English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Saying 'Estoy enfermo' implies you have a cold or flu, not an allergy.
Use instead: Me siento mal (I feel bad) or Tengo una reacción (I am having a reaction).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for the bill in Spanish
After a safe meal, you'll need to pay. This completes the restaurant experience.
How to say call a doctor in Spanish
A crucial safety phrase to know in case you do have an allergic reaction.
Vegetarian phrases in Spanish
Related dietary restriction vocabulary that often overlaps with allergy requests.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I have a food allergy
Question 1 of 3
You are at a restaurant in Mexico and have a peanut allergy. Which phrase should you use?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask about ingredients in Spanish-speaking countries?
Not at all. While culturally people love to feed guests, health is respected. It is not rude to ask '¿Qué lleva esto?' (What is in this?) to ensure your safety.
What if I don't know the specific word for my allergen?
Use a translation app or look it up beforehand. In a pinch, you can say 'No puedo comer esto' (I can't eat this) and show a picture of the food on your phone.
Do I use 'Ser' or 'Estar' for allergies?
Always use 'Ser' (Soy alérgico). Allergies are viewed as a permanent characteristic of your biology, not a temporary mood or location.
How do I say 'Gluten Free' in Spanish?
The most common phrase is 'Sin gluten'. In Argentina, you will also see 'Sin TACC'.
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