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Italian Phrase

Questo dolce è senza glutine?

/ˈkwɛs.to ˈdol.tʃe ɛ ˈsen.tsa ˈɡlu.ti.ne/
Meaning"Is this dessert gluten‑free?"
💡

Meaning

The speaker is asking whether the dessert they are looking at or about to eat contains gluten. It’s a practical question for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those following a gluten‑free diet.

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When to use

Use this sentence in cafés, bakeries, restaurants, or at a friend’s house when you need to confirm the gluten status of a sweet dish before eating it.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Questodolceèsenzaglutine

1

Questo (demonstrative adjective)

Used to point out a specific noun that is close to the speaker; agrees in gender and number with the noun.

2

dolce (noun)

Means ‘dessert’ or ‘sweet’; masculine singular, so the demonstrative must be ‘questo’.

3

è (verb essere)

Third‑person singular present of ‘to be’; links the subject with a characteristic.

4

senza (preposition)

Means ‘without’; it is followed directly by a noun without an article.

5

glutine (noun)

The word for ‘gluten’; masculine singular, used here as the complement of ‘senza’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Questo dolce è senza glutine?

Is this dessert gluten‑free?

Sì, è preparato con farina di riso e mandorle.

Yes, it’s made with rice and almond flour.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Questo dolce è senza di glutine?

    ‘Senza’ already means ‘without’; adding ‘di’ is redundant and ungrammatical.

  • Questo dolci è senza glutine?

    ‘Dolci’ is plural; the demonstrative must agree with the noun’s number.

  • Questo dolce è senza il glutine?

    When ‘senza’ is used, the noun does not take an article.

↔Alternatives

  • Questo dolce è privo di glutine?

    Is this dessert free of gluten?

  • Il dolce contiene glutine?

    Does the dessert contain gluten?

  • È possibile avere una versione senza glutine?

    Is a gluten‑free version possible?

it

Cultural Tip

Traditional Italian pastries often rely on wheat flour, so many classic sweets contain gluten. However, the rise of celiac awareness has led many bakeries, especially in larger cities, to offer gluten‑free alternatives. When ordering, it’s polite to ask the staff directly and, if possible, to specify any other dietary restrictions (e.g., dairy or nuts).