How to Say "I Have a Food Allergy" in Other Languages
Restaurant-ready allergy phrases in Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Greek, with the words for each allergen and what staff will ask you back.
Allergies in French: Phrases for Restaurants in France, Belgium and Quebec
How to say “I’m allergic to nuts” in French, why “noix” causes confusion, the label words to look for (arachide, fruits à coque, traces), and what to say if you need help.
Allergies in Italian: What to Say at Restaurants and Gelaterias in Italy
How to say “I have a nut allergy” in Italian, the words for every allergen, which Italian dishes hide pine nuts, almonds and pistachios, and how to ask about shared gelato scoops.
Allergies in Spanish: What to Say at a Restaurant in Spain and Latin America
How to say “I’m allergic to nuts” in Spanish, the words for every common allergen (they change between Spain and Mexico), the questions waiters ask back, and what to say in an emergency.
Allergy in Greek: Nut, Peanut and Sesame Phrases for Greece
How to say “I have a nut allergy” in Greek, why “fistikia” can mean peanuts or pistachios, and which Greek dishes contain walnuts, almonds and sesame. With pronunciation.
Allergy in Japanese: How to Explain a Food Allergy in Japan
Say “I have a peanut allergy” in Japanese, read the allergen box on food labels, and know what staff mean when they say コンタミ. Includes the words for every allergen, sushi and ramen pitfalls, and bringing an EpiPen into Japan.
Allergy in Korean: Phrases for Restaurants in Korea
Say “I have a peanut allergy” in Korean, ask what is in a dish, and know the words for sesame oil, fish sauce and the other ingredients that hide in Korean food. With romanization.
Allergy in Thai: How to Say “I’m Allergic to Peanuts” in Thailand
The Thai words for allergy, peanut, cashew, shrimp paste and fish sauce, with phrases for street food stalls and restaurants. Why “thua” alone is not enough, and which dishes always contain peanuts.
Allergy in Vietnamese: Peanut, Seafood and Fish Sauce Phrases
How to say “I’m allergic to peanuts” in Vietnamese (the word changes between Hanoi and Saigon), whether pho has peanuts, and the dishes and sauces that hide peanuts, shrimp and fish.
Gluten Free in Spanish: Coeliac Phrases for Spain and Latin America
“Sin gluten” and “soy celíaco” are the start. Here is how to ask about shared fryers, breadcrumbs and soy sauce in Spanish, the label words to look for, and how gluten-free eating differs between Spain and Mexico.