French Phrase
Ce plat est sans produits laitiers ?
Meaning
Literally, 'Is this dish without dairy products?' It is a polite way to check whether a meal contains any milk, cheese, butter, or other dairy ingredients, often asked by people with dietary restrictions or allergies.
When to use
Use this sentence in restaurants, cafés, or at a friend's house when you need to confirm that a dish is safe for a dairy‑free diet. It works equally well in formal settings (talking to a waiter) and informal ones (asking a host).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ceplatestsansproduitslaitiers?
Ce (demonstrative adjective)
Used before a masculine singular noun to point out something specific, here it modifies 'plat'.
est (être, present 3rd person singular)
The verb 'to be' linking the subject 'Ce plat' with the predicate.
sans (preposition)
Means 'without' and is followed directly by a noun phrase without an article.
produits laitiers (compound noun)
A noun phrase meaning 'dairy products'; 'laitiers' is an adjective that agrees in number and gender with 'produits'.
Question intonation
In spoken French, a rising intonation at the end signals a yes‑no question; written form can use a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Ce plat est sans produits laitiers ?
Is this dish dairy‑free?
Oui, il ne contient aucun produit laitier.
Yes, it contains no dairy products.
✕Common Mistakes
Ce plat est sans de produits laitiers ?
The preposition 'sans' never takes an article; say 'sans produits laitiers', not 'sans de produits laitiers'.
Ce plat n'est pas sans produits laitiers ?
Do not combine 'pas' with 'sans' for a yes‑no question; it creates a double negative that sounds odd.
Ce plat est sans produit laitier ?
Both words must be plural to match the meaning; 'produit laitier' would refer to a single dairy product.
↔Alternatives
Ce plat ne contient pas de produits laitiers.
This dish does not contain dairy products.
Ce plat est sans lactose.
This dish is lactose‑free.
Ce plat est exempt de produits laitiers.
This dish is exempt from dairy products.
Cultural Tip
In French restaurants it is common to ask about allergens before ordering. While 'sans lactose' refers specifically to the sugar lactose, many people use it loosely for 'dairy‑free', but the more precise term is 'sans produits laitiers'. If you have a severe allergy, it’s helpful to say 'Je suis allergique aux produits laitiers' so the staff knows the seriousness of the request.