je suis allergique aux arachides
To say "I have a peanut allergy" in French, you say je suis allergique aux arachides.
This phrase is used to inform others that eating peanuts causes an allergic reaction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I am allergic to peanuts" rather than "I have a peanut allergy".
Which one should you use?
The term arachides is the more formal or technical term often found in food labeling, whereas cacahuètes is the everyday word used in conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the word for peanuts is arachides. In Swiss French, one might say J'suis allergique aux noix de terre. to express a peanut allergy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective allergique is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same whether the speaker is male or female.
Did you know?
- In French, the word cacahuète is often used figuratively to describe a trivial or insignificant amount of money, similar to the English expression 'peanuts'.
- The word cacahuète comes from the indigenous languages of the Americas, specifically the Taíno word 'cacahuatl', rather than Latin.
- The word suis comes from the Latin 'sum' but was influenced by 'fuī', the Latin word for 'I was'.
Examples in context
- Attention, je suis allergique aux arachides.Watch out, I am allergic to peanuts.
- Désolé, je suis allergique aux arachides.Sorry, I am allergic to peanuts.
Example conversation
Gabriel is ordering a dessert at a restaurant.
- GabrielCe gâteau a-t-il des noix ? Je suis allergique aux arachides.Does this cake have nuts? I have a peanut allergy.
- LéaLaissez-moi vérifier avec le chef, Gabriel.Let me check with the chef, Gabriel.
- LéaIl n'y a pas d'arachides dans ce dessert.There are no peanuts in this dessert.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Léa.Thank you very much, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries allergique, aux, je, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
