Portuguese Phrase
Isso é sem glúten?
Meaning
A direct question asking whether the item in question contains gluten. It is the standard way to confirm if a food, drink, or product is safe for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
When to use
Use this sentence in restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, or any situation where you need to verify the gluten content of a dish, snack, or packaged food. It works both in formal settings (talking to a waiter) and informal ones (asking a friend about a homemade treat).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Issoésemglúten?
Isso
Demonstrative pronoun meaning “this/that”. Used to refer to something near the speaker or just mentioned.
é
Third‑person singular of the verb SER, used for permanent characteristics or identity.
sem
Preposition meaning “without”. It never takes an article; it directly precedes the noun.
glúten
Masculine noun (o glúten). Borrowed from English, refers to the protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
🗨In Conversation
Isso é sem glúten?
Is this gluten‑free?
Sim, não contém glúten.
Yes, it doesn’t contain gluten.
✕Common Mistakes
Isso tem sem glúten?
“Tem” means “has”; the correct verb for asking about a characteristic is “é”.
Não é sem glúten?
Adding “não” before “é” creates a double‑negative confusion. Use the simple “É sem glúten?” for a neutral question.
Isso é com glúten?
“Com” means “with”, which would ask the opposite question.
↔Alternatives
Este produto é livre de glúten.
This product is gluten‑free.
É sem glúten?
Is it gluten‑free?
Não tem glúten?
Doesn’t it have gluten?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance has grown, and many menus now mark dishes with “sem glúten”. When asking, keep a polite tone – a simple “Desculpe, isso é sem glúten?” is well‑received. In the South, you may also hear “livre de glúten” as a more formal alternative.