allergico alla frutta a guscio
Allergic to nuts in Italian is allergico alla frutta a guscio, the phrase used for tree nuts in restaurants and on food labels.
Use it to tell a waiter, host or pharmacist about your allergy. In a full sentence, put Sono, I am, in front of it.
What does it mean word for word?
allergico means allergic, alla means to the and frutta a guscio means nuts, literally fruit in a shell.
Which one should you use?
Sono allergico/a alle noci. is also heard, but noci usually means walnuts, so frutta a guscio is the clearer choice for nuts in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective agrees with the person. A woman says allergica alla frutta a guscio. For a group of men or a mixed group it is allergici alla frutta a guscio, and for a group of women allergiche alla frutta a guscio.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Women should not use allergico, the masculine form. Say allergica instead.
Did you know?
- The word guscio may have roots in the Ancient Greek word kústion, which refers to a small vessel or container.
- In Italian, the phrase frutta a guscio literally translates as 'fruit with a shell', treating nuts as a specific category of fruit rather than a separate food group.
- While 'nuts' is a single word in English, the Italian phrase frutta a guscio literally translates to 'fruit in a shell'.
Examples in context
- Ho una grave allergia alle noci.I have a severe nut allergy.
- Mi può indicare i piatti senza noci?Can you show me the dishes without nuts?
- Attenzione, lui è allergico alla frutta a guscio.Watch out, he is allergic to nuts.
- Chiedo perché sono allergico alla frutta a guscio.I am asking because I am allergic to nuts.
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are ordering dessert at a restaurant.
- ChiaraLorenzo, vuoi provare questa torta?Lorenzo, do you want to try this cake?
- LorenzoNo, purtroppo sono allergico alla frutta a guscio.No, unfortunately I am allergic to nuts.
- ChiaraOh, non lo sapevo! Chiedo al cameriere.Oh, I didn't know! I'll ask the waiter.
- LorenzoGrazie, Chiara, è molto gentile.Thanks, Chiara, that is very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, allergico, frutta, guscio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
