Allergeni e Restrizioni Alimentari

Literal Excuse me, this dish contains nuts?

A direct and polite way to ask a server about a specific allergen. In Italian, yes/no questions are often formed by rising intonation rather than changing word order.

• 'Contiene' is the third-person singular of 'contenere' (to contain), the key verb for asking about ingredients.
• 'Scusi' is the formal imperative of 'scusare', appropriate when addressing strangers or waitstaff.

Literal I am allergic to the gluten, therefore I must avoid the bread.

'Sono allergico/a a' is the standard phrase to state an allergy in Italian. The adjective ending changes: -o for male speakers, -a for female speakers.

• 'Sono allergico/a a' + noun is the core allergy statement structure.
• 'Quindi' (so/therefore) links cause and effect naturally in spoken Italian.
• 'Devo' is the first-person singular of 'dovere' (must/to have to), expressing necessity.

Literal Could you tell-me if the sauce contains dairy-products?

Using the conditional 'potrebbe' makes a question sound softer and more polite — essential when navigating food allergies with strangers or in formal settings.

• 'Potrebbe' is the conditional of 'potere' (can), making requests courteous.
• 'Dirmi' combines the infinitive 'dire' (to tell) with the clitic 'mi' (me), attached directly to the verb.

Literal I have an intolerance to the lactose, not I can drink the milk.

Italian distinguishes between 'allergia' (allergy, immune reaction) and 'intolleranza' (intolerance, digestive sensitivity). Both terms are important for clear communication.

• 'Un'intolleranza' uses elision — the indefinite article 'un' drops its final vowel before a vowel-starting noun.
• 'Non posso' (I cannot) negates ability; 'posso' is the first-person singular of 'potere'.

Literal Stay careful: this recipe contains eggs as main ingredient.

A useful warning when cooking with or for someone who has an allergy. 'Come' here means 'as', introducing the role of the ingredient.

• 'Stai attento/a' is the informal imperative of 'stare attento' (to be careful); use 'stia attento/a' for formal.
• 'Come ingrediente' uses 'come' as 'as', a common structure for describing roles or functions.

Literal Can I ask-her/him to check the label of-the product?

Useful in a grocery store when asking a staff member to verify the ingredients listed on a product. The formal clitic 'le' shows respect.

• 'Posso chiederle' uses the formal indirect object clitic 'le' (to you, formal), attached to the infinitive.
• 'Controllare l'etichetta' — the article 'la' elides before 'etichetta' starting with a vowel.

Literal My daughter is allergic to-the peanuts, it is very important for us.

Communicating a child's allergy clearly and emphasizing its importance. Note the feminine adjective 'allergica' agreeing with 'figlia'.

• 'Allergica' is the feminine form of 'allergico', agreeing with 'figlia' (daughter).
• 'Alle arachidi' = 'a' + 'le' contracted before a feminine plural noun.
• No article before 'figlia' when used with a singular possessive: 'mia figlia', not 'la mia figlia'.

Literal Before of to-eat, I informed the-host of-the my allergy to-the eggs.

Describes the socially considerate habit of letting a host know about allergies before a shared meal. Uses the passato prossimo for a completed past action.

• 'Prima di + infinitive' means 'before doing something' — a common and versatile structure.
• 'Ho informato' is the passato prossimo of 'informare', formed with 'avere' + past participle.

Literal The doctor to-me has advised to carry always the adrenaline with me.

Important medical vocabulary in context — commonly heard by people with severe allergies. Note the indirect object clitic 'mi' before the auxiliary.

• 'Mi ha consigliato' uses the indirect clitic 'mi' (to me) placed before the auxiliary 'ha'.
• 'Consigliare di + infinitive' means 'to advise to do something'.

Literal Has a menu without gluten? I am celiac.

A natural two-sentence exchange at a restaurant: ask for the dietary option first, then explain the reason. 'Celiaco/a' refers specifically to celiac disease.

• 'Ha' is used formally to mean 'do you have?' — the subject 'Lei' is omitted but understood.
• 'Senza' (without) + noun is the essential structure for all dietary restriction requests.
• 'Celiaco/a' is the specific medical term for celiac disease; use -o/-a based on the speaker's gender.