Food allergies are an important topic in daily life, especially when living abroad and trying new cuisines. In China, food culture is rich, diverse, and often includes ingredients that may not be obvious at first glance. Sauces, broths, spices, nuts, and oils are commonly used in everyday dishes, so clearly expressing allergies in Chinese is extremely useful for staying safe and enjoying meals confidently.
When ordering food at restaurants, visiting friends, or buying snacks at markets, it is helpful to explain what you cannot eat. Many dishes in China contain hidden ingredients like peanuts, sesame, seafood, dairy, or soy-based sauces. Being able to communicate allergies clearly can prevent misunderstandings and avoid health risks.
Food allergy is 食物过敏 (shí wù guò mǐn). Ingredient is 食材 (shí cái). Ingredient list is 配料 (pèi liào). Safe food is 安全食物 (ān quán shí wù).
Understanding Allergies and Basic Communication
Before going into specific situations, it is important to know how to express allergies in simple and clear Chinese. The verb “to be allergic to” is 过敏 (guò mǐn), and it is often used with “to something” using the preposition 对 (duì).
Example sentences:
我对花生过敏。(wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn)- I am allergic to peanuts.
我对海鲜过敏。(wǒ duì hǎi xiān guò mǐn)- I am allergic to seafood.
我对牛奶过敏。(wǒ duì niú nǎi guò mǐn)- I am allergic to milk.
我有食物过敏。(wǒ yǒu shí wù guò mǐn)- I have a food allergy.
这个食物我不能吃。(zhè ge shí wù wǒ bù néng chī)- I cannot eat this food.
请注意，我不能吃某些东西。(qǐng zhù yì, wǒ bù néng chī mǒu xiē dōng xī)- Please note, I cannot eat certain things.
Common Food Allergens in China
Many traditional Chinese dishes contain ingredients that are common allergens. Knowing their Chinese names helps when reading menus or asking staff.
Peanuts is 花生 (huā shēng), sesame is 芝麻 (zhī ma), shrimp is 虾 (xiā), crab is 螃蟹 (páng xiè), and soy sauce is 酱油 (jiàng yóu).
Dairy products like milk (牛奶, niú nǎi) and cheese (奶酪, nǎi lào) may also appear in modern fusion foods.
Example sentences:
这个菜里有花生吗？(zhè ge cài lǐ yǒu huā shēng ma)- Does this dish contain peanuts?
我不能吃芝麻。(wǒ bù néng chī zhī ma)- I cannot eat sesame.
这个汤里面有海鲜吗？(zhè ge tāng lǐ miàn yǒu hǎi xiān ma)- Does this soup contain seafood?
这个面条是不是用牛奶做的？(zhè ge miàn tiáo shì bù shì yòng niú nǎi zuò de)- Are these noodles made with milk?
酱油里面有大豆吗？(jiàng yóu lǐ miàn yǒu dà dòu ma)- Does soy sauce contain soybeans?
这个甜点安全吗？(zhè ge tián diǎn ān quán ma)- Is this dessert safe for me?
Ordering Food with Allergy Restrictions
Restaurants in China often prepare food quickly, so it is important to communicate allergies clearly before ordering. Being polite and direct helps staff understand your needs better.
Restaurant is 餐厅 (cān tīng), menu is 菜单 (cài dān), and chef is 厨师 (chú shī).
Example sentences:
请问这个菜里面有什么？(qǐng wèn zhè ge cài lǐ miàn yǒu shén me)- Excuse me, what is in this dish?
我对花生严重过敏。(wǒ duì huā shēng yán zhòng guò mǐn)- I have a severe peanut allergy.
请不要放花生。(qǐng bú yào fàng huā shēng)- Please do not add peanuts.
可以帮我确认一下配料吗？(kě yǐ bāng wǒ què rèn yí xià pèi liào ma)- Can you help me confirm the ingredients?
这个菜可以不加海鲜吗？(zhè ge cài kě yǐ bù jiā hǎi xiān ma)- Can this dish be made without seafood?
我需要一个没有牛奶的菜。(wǒ xū yào yí ge méi yǒu niú nǎi de cài)- I need a dish without milk.
Speaking to Waiters and Restaurant Staff
Clear communication with staff is important, especially in busy restaurants or street food stalls. Even simple sentences can be very effective.
Waiter is 服务员 (fú wù yuán), kitchen is 厨房 (chú fáng), and order is 点菜 (diǎn cài).
Example sentences:
服务员，请过来一下。(fú wù yuán, qǐng guò lái yí xià)- Waiter, please come here.
我有过敏问题。(wǒ yǒu guò mǐn wèn tí)- I have an allergy issue.
这个可以安全吃吗？(zhè ge kě yǐ ān quán chī ma)- Is this safe to eat?
请帮我确认一下厨房。(qǐng bāng wǒ què rèn yí xià chú fáng)- Please check with the kitchen.
我不能吃这个配料。(wǒ bù néng chī zhè ge pèi liào)- I cannot eat this ingredient.
谢谢你的帮助，我很感激。(xiè xie nǐ de bāng zhù, wǒ hěn gǎn jī)- Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.
Grocery Shopping and Reading Labels
When shopping in supermarkets or convenience stores, reading labels becomes very important. Many packaged foods in China include detailed ingredient lists in Chinese.
Label is 标签 (biāo qiān), package is 包装 (bāo zhuāng), and ingredient list is 成分表 (chéng fèn biǎo).
Example sentences:
这个包装上写了什么？(zhè ge bāo zhuāng shàng xiě le shén me)- What is written on this package?
请帮我看一下成分表。(qǐng bāng wǒ kàn yí xià chéng fèn biǎo)- Please help me check the ingredient list.
这里有没有花生？(zhè lǐ yǒu méi yǒu huā shēng)- Does this contain peanuts?
这个是无乳制品的吗？(zhè ge shì wú rǔ zhì pǐn de ma)- Is this dairy-free?
这个食品安全吗？(zhè ge shí pǐn ān quán ma)- Is this food safe?
我想买没有添加剂的食品。(wǒ xiǎng mǎi méi yǒu tiān jiā jì de shí pǐn)- I want to buy food without additives.
Visiting Friends and Eating Safely
When eating at someone’s home, it is polite to mention your allergies in advance. Chinese hosts are usually very considerate and will try to adjust dishes accordingly.
Host is 主人 (zhǔ rén), guest is 客人 (kè rén), and home-cooked meal is 家常菜 (jiā cháng cài).
Example sentences:
谢谢你的邀请。(xiè xie nǐ de yāo qǐng)- Thank you for the invitation.
我对某些食物过敏。(wǒ duì mǒu xiē shí wù guò mǐn)- I am allergic to some foods.
我可以吃这个吗？(wǒ kě yǐ chī zhè ge ma)- Can I eat this?
请不要放花生和海鲜。(qǐng bú yào fàng huā shēng hé hǎi xiān)- Please do not add peanuts and seafood.
这个菜闻起来很香。(zhè ge cài wén qǐ lái hěn xiāng)- This dish smells very good.
我很喜欢这个味道。(wǒ hěn xǐ huan zhè ge wèi dào)- I really like this taste.
Emergency Allergy Situations
Sometimes allergic reactions can happen unexpectedly. Knowing how to describe symptoms clearly can help others assist you quickly.
Symptom is 症状 (zhèng zhuàng), rash is 皮疹 (pí zhěn), swelling is 肿 (zhǒng), and breathing difficulty is 呼吸困难 (hū xī kùn nán).
Example sentences:
我过敏了。(wǒ guò mǐn le)- I am having an allergic reaction.
我皮肤很痒。(wǒ pí fū hěn yǎng)- My skin is very itchy.
我有点呼吸困难。(wǒ yǒu diǎn hū xī kùn nán)- I am having some difficulty breathing.
请帮我叫医生。(qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yī shēng)- Please call a doctor.
我需要药。(wǒ xū yào yào)- I need medicine.
请马上送我去医院。(qǐng mǎ shàng sòng wǒ qù yī yuàn)- Please take me to the hospital immediately.
Polite Safety Communication in Daily Life
Even outside restaurants, it is helpful to explain allergies when buying snacks, drinks, or street food. Polite phrases make communication smoother.
Example sentences:
请问这个里面有牛奶吗？(qǐng wèn zhè ge lǐ miàn yǒu niú nǎi ma)- Does this contain milk?
我不能吃这个，请换一个。(wǒ bù néng chī zhè ge, qǐng huàn yí ge)- I cannot eat this, please change it.
这个对我安全吗？(zhè ge duì wǒ ān quán ma)- Is this safe for me?
我想确认一下。(wǒ xiǎng què rèn yí xià)- I want to confirm.
谢谢你提醒我。(xiè xie nǐ tí xǐng wǒ)- Thank you for reminding me.
Food Allergy Chinese Vocabulary
- 食物过敏 (shí wù guò mǐn)- food allergy
- 花生 (huā shēng)- peanut
- 芝麻 (zhī ma)- sesame
- 成分表 (chéng fèn biǎo)- ingredient list
- 过敏 (guò mǐn)- allergic reaction
- 服务员 (fú wù yuán)- waiter
- 症状 (zhèng zhuàng)- symptom
