Greek allergy phrases
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.
Updated
To say you have an allergy in Greek, start with Έχω αλλεργία σε… (EH-kho a-ler-YEE-a se…), “I have an allergy to…”. For nuts that becomes Έχω αλλεργία στους ξηρούς καρπούς (…stous ksee-ROOS kar-POOS). You can also say Είμαι αλλεργικός (a man) or αλλεργική (a woman).
The word to be careful with is φιστίκια (fistíkia). Greeks use it for both peanuts and pistachios. Peanuts are αράπικα φιστίκια (a-RA-pi-ka fis-TEE-kia), and pistachios are φιστίκια Αιγίνης (fis-TEE-kia e-YEE-nees), named after the island of Aegina. Use the full name for the one you react to.
Phrases for tavernas
| English | Greek | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| I have a serious food allergy. | Έχω σοβαρή τροφική αλλεργία. | EH-kho so-va-REE tro-fi-KEE a-ler-YEE-a |
| I’m allergic to nuts. | Έχω αλλεργία στους ξηρούς καρπούς. | EH-kho a-ler-YEE-a stous ksee-ROOS kar-POOS |
| I’m allergic to peanuts. | Έχω αλλεργία στα αράπικα φιστίκια. | …sta a-RA-pi-ka fis-TEE-kia |
| Does this have ___ in it? | Έχει ___ αυτό; | EH-khee ___ af-TO |
| Without ___, please. | Χωρίς ___, παρακαλώ. | kho-REES ___, pa-ra-ka-LO |
| Even a little is dangerous for me. | Ακόμα και λίγο είναι επικίνδυνο για μένα. | a-KO-ma ke LEE-gho EE-ne e-pee-KEEN-dee-no ya ME-na |
| It’s not a preference, it’s an allergy. | Δεν είναι προτίμηση, είναι αλλεργία. | dhen EE-ne pro-TEE-mee-see, EE-ne a-ler-YEE-a |
| Could you ask the kitchen? | Μπορείτε να ρωτήσετε στην κουζίνα; | bo-REE-te na ro-TEE-se-te stin koo-ZEE-na |
Greek uses ; as its question mark.
Food words
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Peanuts | αράπικα φιστίκια |
| Pistachios | φιστίκια Αιγίνης |
| Tree nuts | ξηροί καρποί |
| Walnuts | καρύδια |
| Almonds | αμύγδαλα |
| Hazelnuts | φουντούκια |
| Cashews | κάσιους |
| Pine nuts | κουκουνάρια |
| Sesame / tahini | σουσάμι / ταχίνι |
| Milk / dairy | γάλα / γαλακτοκομικά |
| Egg | αυγό |
| Wheat / gluten | σιτάρι / γλουτένη |
| Fish | ψάρι |
| Seafood | θαλασσινά |
| Shrimp | γαρίδες |
| Shellfish | οστρακοειδή |
| Soy | σόγια |
| Mustard | μουστάρδα |
| Celery | σέλινο |
Greek dishes that hide nuts and sesame
- Baklava: walnuts, often pistachios or almonds, layered with filo (wheat) and butter.
- Melomakarona and kourabiedes, the Christmas biscuits: walnuts and almonds.
- Skordalia (garlic dip): some cooks thicken it with walnuts or almonds instead of bread or potato.
- Halva, tahini and the sesame bread rings sold on every street (koulouri).
- Taramosalata: fish roe, sometimes thickened with bread.
- Moussaka and pastitsio: the béchamel contains milk, egg and wheat.
- Loukoumades (honey doughnuts) are often finished with chopped walnuts.
If you need help
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Call an ambulance! | Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο! (ka-LES-te as-the-NO-fo-ro) |
| I’m having an allergic reaction. | Έχω αλλεργική αντίδραση. |
| I need my adrenaline injection (EpiPen). | Χρειάζομαι την ένεση αδρεναλίνης μου. |
In Greece, call 166 for an ambulance or 112, the European emergency number. On small islands the nearest hospital can be a ferry ride away; check where it is before you need it.
Common questions
How do you say “nut allergy” in Greek?
Αλλεργία στους ξηρούς καρπούς (a-ler-YEE-a stous ksee-ROOS kar-POOS). Xiroi karpoi literally means “dry fruits” but is the normal word for nuts.
How do you say “I have a peanut allergy” in Greek?
Έχω αλλεργία στα αράπικα φιστίκια. Saying only fistikia may be heard as pistachios.
Do Greek restaurants have allergen information?
Greece follows EU rules, so restaurants must be able to tell you which of the 14 main allergens are in a dish. Family tavernas often have it on paper or in their head rather than on the menu; ask the owner or cook directly.
This page helps you communicate about a food allergy. It is not medical advice: follow your allergist’s plan, and always confirm ingredients with the restaurant or the label.
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