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Italian Phrase

Ho un'allergia alle arachidi.

/o un alˈleɾdʒa alːe aɾaˈki.di/
Meaning"I have a peanut allergy."
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Meaning

Literally, ‘I have an allergy to peanuts.’ The sentence states a medical condition that affects what you can eat or be exposed to.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you need to inform a waiter, a doctor, a teacher, or anyone who is preparing food for you that you cannot consume peanuts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Houn'allergiaallearachidi

1

Ho

First‑person singular present of avere ‘to have’; used to express possession or a condition.

2

un'

Indefinite article ‘un’ before a vowel; the apostrophe marks the elision of the final vowel of ‘uno’.

3

allergia

Feminine noun meaning ‘allergy’; takes the indefinite article ‘un’ because it starts with a vowel.

4

alle

Combination of the preposition a ‘to/for’ + the plural feminine article le; used before a plural noun to indicate the object of the allergy.

5

arachidi

Plural noun for ‘peanuts’; the usual word for the legume that triggers the allergy.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hai qualche allergia?

Do you have any allergies?

Sì, ho un'allergia alle arachidi.

Yes, I have a peanut allergy.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ho un allergia alle arachidi.

    ‘Allergia’ is feminine, so the correct indefinite article is the elided ‘un'’ not ‘un’.

  • Ho un'allergia a arachidi.

    The preposition must agree with the plural feminine noun; use ‘alle’ (a + le).

  • Ho un'allergia al peanut.

    Avoid mixing English words in an Italian sentence; use the Italian noun ‘arachidi’.

↔Alternatives

  • Sono allergico alle arachidi.

    I am allergic to peanuts. (male speaker)

  • Sono allergica alle arachidi.

    I am allergic to peanuts. (female speaker)

  • Mi fa male mangiare arachidi.

    Eating peanuts makes me sick.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy many traditional dishes—especially desserts, sauces, and some regional specialties—include nuts. When dining out, it’s polite to tell the staff “Ho un'allergia alle arachidi” early, and you can also ask for a “menu senza frutta secca” (menu without nuts). Italian medical forms often ask for “allergie alimentari” (food allergies), so knowing this phrase helps both in casual and formal contexts.