Spanish Phrase
Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to 'I have allergy to the peanuts.' It is the standard way to inform someone about a food allergy in Spanish-speaking countries. The verb 'tener' (to have) is used to express medical conditions or physical states.
When to use
Use this phrase when ordering at a restaurant, attending a dinner party, or shopping for groceries. It is a critical safety phrase for anyone with a peanut allergy traveling to a Spanish-speaking region.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tengoalergiaaloscacahuetes
Tengo
The first-person singular form of 'tener' (to have), used for physical conditions and possessions.
A los
In Spanish, the preposition 'a' is followed by the definite article 'los' when referring to the object of an allergy.
🗨In Conversation
Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes. ¿Este postre tiene frutos secos?
I have an allergy to peanuts. Does this dessert have nuts?
No se preocupe, no tiene nada de cacahuete.
Don't worry, it doesn't have any peanuts.
✕Common Mistakes
Soy alérgico para cacahuetes.
Use 'a' to indicate what you are allergic to, not 'para'.
Tengo una alergia de cacahuetes.
While 'de' is sometimes used, 'a' followed by the definite article is the standard grammatical construction for allergies.
↔Alternatives
Soy alérgico a los cacahuetes.
I am allergic to peanuts.
No puedo comer cacahuetes.
I cannot eat peanuts.
¿Contiene cacahuetes este plato?
Does this dish contain peanuts?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking countries, food allergies are taken seriously in modern restaurants, but in smaller towns or traditional markets, cross-contamination awareness might vary. It is always safer to emphasize the severity by saying 'Es muy grave' (It is very serious). Also, note that 'cacahuetes' is common in Spain, while 'maní' is the preferred term in most of Latin America.