French Phrase
J'ai une grosse allergie aux fruits à coque.
Meaning
This phrase is used to communicate a serious medical condition regarding tree nuts. The word 'grosse' (big) is used here to emphasize the severity or intensity of the allergy, similar to saying 'severe' in English. 'Fruits à coque' is the standard French term for tree nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds.
When to use
Use this phrase when ordering food at a restaurant, attending a dinner party, or speaking with a doctor. It is a vital safety phrase for anyone with a nut allergy traveling in French-speaking regions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
J'aiunegrosseallergieauxfruits à coque
Avoir (J'ai)
In French, you 'have' an allergy rather than just 'being' allergic, though both are possible. 'J'ai' is the first-person singular of 'avoir'.
Aux
This is a contraction of 'à' (to) and 'les' (the plural). It is used here because 'fruits' is plural.
🗨In Conversation
Voulez-vous goûter ce gâteau au praliné ?
Would you like to taste this praline cake?
Non merci, j'ai une grosse allergie aux fruits à coque.
No thank you, I have a severe allergy to nuts.
✕Common Mistakes
J'ai une allergie pour les fruits à coque.
In French, you have an allergy 'to' something using the preposition 'à', not 'pour'.
Je suis allergique aux noix.
While 'noix' is often used for nuts, it specifically means 'walnuts'. 'Fruits à coque' is the safer, more inclusive term for all tree nuts.
↔Alternatives
Je suis allergique aux fruits à coque.
I am allergic to nuts.
Est-ce qu'il y a des traces de fruits à coque ?
Are there traces of nuts?
Cultural Tip
In France, restaurants are legally required to provide information about allergens. However, it is always safer to inform the server directly using this phrase. Note that 'cacahuètes' (peanuts) are often categorized separately from 'fruits à coque' (tree nuts) in French culinary contexts.