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German Phrase

Ich bin allergisch gegen Erdnüsse.

/ɪç bɪn alˈlɛʁɡɪʃ ˈɡeːɡn̩ ˈeːɐ̯dnʏsə/
Meaning"I am allergic to peanuts."
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Meaning

Literally, ‘I am allergic to peanuts.’ The construction *allergisch gegen* is the standard way in German to express a medical allergy to a specific substance.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you need to inform friends, restaurant staff, or medical personnel that you cannot eat peanuts. It’s especially handy in restaurants, at parties, or when filling out health forms.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchbinallergischgegenErdnüsse

1

Ich (pronoun)

First‑person singular personal pronoun, used as the subject of the sentence.

2

bin (sein)

Present tense of the verb *sein* (to be) for the first‑person singular.

3

allergisch (adjective)

Adjective meaning ‘allergic’; it is used with the preposition *gegen* to indicate the trigger.

4

gegen (preposition)

Preposition meaning ‘against’ or ‘against …’; it governs the accusative case.

5

Erdnüsse (noun, plural)

Plural noun for ‘peanuts’; in the accusative after *gegen* it stays unchanged.

🗨In Conversation

A

Möchtest du noch etwas zum Essen?

Would you like anything else to eat?

Danke, aber ich bin allergisch gegen Erdnüsse.

Thanks, but I’m allergic to peanuts.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich bin allergisch zu Erdnüsse.

    The preposition *gegen* is required; *zu* does not convey ‘allergic to’.

  • Ich bin allergisch gegen die Erdnüsse.

    When using *gegen*, the noun stays in the accusative without an article.

  • Ich habe allergisch gegen Erdnüsse.

    The verb *sein* is used with the adjective *allergisch*, not *haben*.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich habe eine Erdnussallergie.

    I have a peanut allergy.

  • Ich vertrage keine Erdnüsse.

    I can’t tolerate peanuts.

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries it’s common to state allergies explicitly, especially in restaurants. Many eateries provide an *Allergiker‑Pass* (allergy card) you can hand to the staff. Note that *Erdnüsse* are peanuts, not tree nuts, so you may also hear *Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse* (I’m allergic to nuts) which is broader.