allergique aux produits laitiers
Allergic to dairy in French is allergique aux produits laitiers. To say it about yourself, use Je suis allergique aux produits laitiers.
Use this phrase to describe a person whose immune system reacts to milk or milk-based products, for example when ordering in a restaurant or talking to a doctor. Another way to say it is J'ai une allergie aux produits contenant du lait. (I have an allergy to products containing milk).
What does it mean word for word?
allergique means allergic, and aux produits laitiers literally means to the dairy products.
Which one should you use?
If the problem is digestive rather than an immune reaction, say intolérant au lactose (lactose intolerant) instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
allergique is the same for men and women, so the phrase does not change with the gender of the speaker.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say you are allergic when you mean lactose intolerant. French keeps these apart, and intolérant au lactose is the phrase for the digestive problem.
Did you know?
- In France, if you say you are allergique when you actually mean you are lactose intolerant, a waiter might treat it as a life-threatening emergency rather than a digestive inconvenience.
- While produits laitiers means 'dairy products', the word laitier also refers to the traditional milkman who delivered fresh bottles to Parisian doorsteps.
- The word allergique shares a common ancestor with the English word 'allergy', as both stem from the Greek word 'allos', meaning 'other' or 'different'.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, je suis allergique aux produits laitiers. Est-ce que ce plat contient du lait?Excuse me, I am allergic to dairy products. Does this dish contain milk?
- Attention, je suis allergique à la crème, au beurre et au fromage.Attention, I am allergic to cream, butter, and cheese.
- Est-ce que vous êtes allergique aux produits laitiers ?Are you allergic to dairy?
- Il est allergique aux produits laitiers depuis l'enfance.He has been allergic to dairy since childhood.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are ordering dessert at a restaurant.
- ChloéTu veux goûter ce gâteau, Hugo ?Do you want to taste this cake, Hugo?
- HugoNon, je suis allergique aux produits laitiers.No, I am allergic to dairy.
- ChloéOh, je ne savais pas !Oh, I didn't know!
- HugoC'est pour ça que je prends un fruit.That is why I am having a fruit.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries allergique, aux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
