A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm allergic to nuts" in Spanish
Learn how to say 'I'm allergic to nuts' in Spanish with this essential phrasebook entry, featuring pronunciation guides and usage tips.
Soy alérgico a las nueces.
soy ah-LEHR-hee-coh ah lahs NWEH-sehsneutral
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Use this phrase immediately upon sitting down at a restaurant in a Spanish-speaking country to inform your server of your allergy. It is crucial to say this before ordering any food, especially when browsing menus that might not clearly list allergens. You can also use it when a host offers you a snack or meal at their home.
Alternatives
- Tengo alergia a los frutos secos.better because 'frutos secos' covers a broader category of tree nuts and peanuts in many Spanish-speaking regions
- Soy alérgica a las nueces.better if the speaker identifies as female
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'no puedo comer' instead of stating the allergy
Saying 'I can't eat' might make the server think it is a preference rather than a life-threatening medical condition.
Mispronouncing the 'g' in alérgico
The 'g' should sound like an English 'h' sound, not a hard 'g' as in 'goat'.
A small cultural note
In many Latin American countries, awareness of severe nut allergies is growing, but it is still highly recommended to emphasize the severity by adding 'es muy grave' (it is very serious) to ensure the kitchen takes cross-contamination seriously.
Frequently asked
Does nueces mean all nuts in Spanish
Strictly speaking, 'nueces' refers specifically to walnuts, but it is commonly used as a general term for nuts. To be completely safe, use the term 'frutos secos' to encompass all tree nuts.
How do I say peanut allergy in Spanish
You should say 'Soy alérgico al maní' in South America or 'Soy alérgico al cacahuate' in Mexico. Peanuts are often categorized separately from tree nuts.
How to ask if a dish has nuts in Spanish
You can ask the server '¿Este plato tiene nueces o frutos secos?' to directly inquire about the ingredients. Always double-check even if the menu description looks safe.
