A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm allergic to penicillin" in Spanish
Communicate a penicillin allergy in Spanish to ensure safe medical treatment and avoid adverse reactions.
Soy alérgico/a a la penicilina
soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh / ahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Tell a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have a known allergy to penicillin. This is crucial information for any medical setting, including a hospital visit or a prescription refill.
Alternatives
- Tengo alergia a la penicilinaSlightly more common in some regions.
- Me da alergia la penicilinaMore informal, but still widely understood.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'alérgico' with 'alergia'
'Alérgico/a' is an adjective describing you; 'alergia' is the noun for the condition.
Pronouncing 'penicilina' incorrectly
Stress the 'li' syllable: pe-ni-ci-LI-na, not pe-ni-SEE-lee-na.
A small cultural note
In many Spanish-speaking countries, it's common to use the masculine form 'alérgico' unless you are female, in which case you would use 'alérgica'. However, stating it as 'alérgico/a' covers both.
Frequently asked
What if I'm allergic to other medicines?
You can adapt the phrase by replacing 'penicilina' with the name of the medication. For example, 'Soy alérgico/a a la aspirina'.
How do I say 'I have an allergy' in Spanish?
You can say 'Tengo una alergia a...' followed by the substance. This is a common alternative way to express an allergy.
What does 'alérgico/a' mean?
'Alérgico' means allergic (masculine) and 'alérgica' means allergic (feminine). The '/a' is a common way to show both options.
