甲殻類アレルギー
kōkakurui areregī
The English phrase "seafood allergy" is translated into Japanese as 甲殻類アレルギー (kōkakurui areregī).
While the term 甲殻類アレルギー refers specifically to an allergic reaction to crustaceans like shrimp and crab, other terms can be used depending on whether you are referring to all seafood or specific types. For example, if you need to mention an allergy to all seafood, including various types of fish and shellfish, you would use 魚介類アレルギー.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 甲殻類アレルギー (kōkakurui areregī) is a specific term for a crustacean allergy. For a broader allergy that includes fish and various shellfish, use 魚介類アレルギー. If you want to be very specific in casual conversation, you can also say エビ・カニアレルギー (shrimp and crab allergy).
How do you pronounce it?
kōkakurui areregī
Did you know?
- In Japan, the term 甲殻類 (kōkakurui) is so strictly defined that it generally excludes mollusks like clams, oysters and scallops, which are categorized separately as 軟体動物 (nantai dōbutsu).
- The word アレルギー (allergy) is a loanword derived from the German 'Allergie' rather than the English 'allergy'.
- The character 甲 (kō) in 甲殻類 originally referred to a 'shell' or 'armor', reflecting the ancient view that crustaceans wear natural suits of armor.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さん、あのお店のパエリアはどうかな？Misaki-san, ano omise no paeria wa dō kana?Misaki, how about the paella at that restaurant?
- 美咲 Misakiごめん、私、甲殻類アレルギーなの。Gomen, watashi, kōkakurui arerugī nano.Sorry, I have a seafood allergy.
- 蓮 Renあ、そうだったね！忘れてたよ。A, sō datta ne! Wasureteta yo.Oh, that's right! I forgot.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫。他のお店を探そう。Daijōbu. Hoka no omise o sagasō.It's okay. Let's look for another place.
