Allergie
feminine
The German word for allergy is Allergie.
Allergie is a noun used to describe a disorder of the immune system. You can also use the adjective allergisch to describe someone or something that is allergic.
Meaning: disorder of the immune system (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Allergie is the standard term, you may encounter more clinical or formal terms. Überempfindlichkeit translates to hypersensitivity and can be used interchangeably with allergy, while Überempfindlichkeitsreaktion specifically refers to a hypersensitivity reaction.
How does it change in a sentence?
Allergie is a feminine noun. It is used with the definite article die (the allergy) or the indefinite article eine (an allergy).
Did you know?
- In German, the term Heuschnupfen specifically refers to hay fever, literally translating to 'hay snot'.
- While English speakers say they are 'allergic to' something, Germans often use the adjective allergisch to mean someone is also 'unwilling' or 'hostile' toward an idea.
- The word Allergie was constructed by blending the Greek words for 'other' and 'work' to mirror the structure of the word Energie.
Examples in context
- Er niest, weil er eine Allergie hat.He's sneezing because he has an allergy.This sentence is useful for showing how to use Allergie in a sentence describing a physical reaction.Tatoeba #14025835 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #14025836 by Ioan_Cristian
- Ich habe eine Allergie gegen ErdnüsseI have an allergy to peanuts
- Ich reagiere allergisch auf PollenI have an allergic reaction to pollen
- Ich habe eine Pollenallergie.I have a pollen allergy.
- Ich habe eine Allergie gegen Pollen.I have an allergy to pollen.
- Ist das eine Allergie?Is that an allergy?
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are eating at a restaurant.
- LauraHat Lukas eine Allergie gegen Nüsse?Does Lukas have an allergy to nuts?
- LukasJa, ich habe eine starke Allergie.Yes, I have a strong allergy.
- LauraDann bestellen wir etwas anderes für ihn.Then we will order something else for him.
- LukasDas ist sehr lieb von dir, Laura.That is very kind of you, Laura.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “allergy” translations and entries Allergie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Allergie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
