French Phrase
J'avais demandé sans noix.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that they had previously asked for something to be prepared without nuts. It is often used to remind a server or chef of a dietary request that was already made.
When to use
Use this sentence in a restaurant, café, or any food‑service setting when you need to confirm that you already requested a nut‑free preparation, especially if you suspect the request might have been forgotten.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'avaisdemandésansnoix.
Plus‑que‑parfait
Formed with the imperfect of 'avoir' (avais) + past participle (demandé) to express an action completed before another past event.
Contraction "J'"
"Je" contracts to "J'" before a vowel or mute 'h' (here before 'avais').
Preposition "sans"
"Sans" means 'without' and is followed directly by a noun without an article.
Noun "noix"
"Noix" is a feminine plural noun meaning 'nuts' (e.g., walnuts). No article is used after "sans".
🗨In Conversation
Excusez‑moi, votre plat contient des noix ?
Excuse me, does your dish contain nuts?
Non, j'avais demandé sans noix.
No, I had asked for it without nuts.
✕Common Mistakes
J'ai demandé sans noix.
Using the passé composé (j'ai demandé) is acceptable in casual speech, but the plus‑que‑parfait (j'avais demandé) emphasizes that the request was made before another past event.
J'avais demandé sans le noix.
After the preposition "sans" you do not use an article; the correct form is simply "sans noix".
J'avais demandé sans noixes.
The noun "noix" is already plural; adding an extra -es is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
J'avais demandé sans les noix.
I had asked for it without the nuts.
J'avais demandé de ne pas mettre de noix.
I had asked not to put any nuts.
J'avais demandé sans noix, s'il vous plaît.
I had asked for it without nuts, please.
Cultural Tip
In French restaurants it is common for the staff to ask about allergies or dietary restrictions. Using "sans noix" is polite and clear. Remember that "noix" can refer to walnuts, hazelnuts, or even peanuts (though peanuts are technically "arachides"). If you have a severe allergy, it’s helpful to say "Je suis allergique aux noix" before ordering.