German Phrase
Ist das Dessert glutenfrei?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the dessert being served contains any gluten. It is a direct, polite way to check for gluten‑free options, especially important for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
When to use
Use this question in restaurants, cafés, bakeries, or at a friend's house when you want to confirm that a sweet dish is safe for a gluten‑free diet. It works equally well in casual conversation and in more formal dining settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
IstdasDessertglutenfrei?
Verb‑to‑be (sein) in a yes/no question
In German yes/no questions the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.
Definite article with neuter noun
‘Dessert’ is a neuter noun, so it takes the article ‘das’ in the nominative case.
Predicate adjective without article
‘glutenfrei’ functions as a predicate adjective after ‘sein’ and does not take an ending.
Word order with adjectives
When an adjective is used predicatively (after ‘sein’), it stays in its base form – no declension.
🗨In Conversation
Ist das Dessert glutenfrei?
Is the dessert gluten‑free?
Ja, es ist komplett glutenfrei.
Yes, it is completely gluten‑free.
✕Common Mistakes
Ist das Dessert glutenfreies?
Do not add an ending (e.g., *glutenfreies*) because it is a predicate adjective after ‘sein’.
Ist der Dessert glutenfrei?
The article must match the gender of ‘Dessert’; using ‘der’ or ‘die’ is incorrect.
Das Dessert ist glutenfrei?
In a question the verb must be first; placing it after the subject creates a statement, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Ist das Dessert ohne Gluten?
Is the dessert without gluten?
Enthält das Dessert Gluten?
Does the dessert contain gluten?
Ist die Nachspeise glutenfrei?
Is the dessert (after‑meal) gluten‑free?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, food labeling is strict: any product containing more than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram must be labeled ‘enthält Gluten’. However, many restaurants still rely on verbal confirmation, so asking “Ist das Dessert glutenfrei?” is both courteous and practical. When you receive a positive answer, you can follow up with “Könnte ich die Zutatenliste sehen?” to double‑check, especially in upscale establishments where hidden thickeners are common.