How to Ask 'Does This Contain Nuts, Dairy, or Gluten?' in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to ask whether food contains nuts, dairy, or gluten in Mandarin, understand common responses, and communicate allergy needs clearly and politely.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you have a food allergy or intolerance, asking about ingredients is not small talk—it is a safety skill. In Mandarin Chinese, the key verb is 有 (yǒu, 'to have/contain'). You can ask 有坚果吗？(yǒu jiānguǒ ma?) for nuts, 有奶吗？(yǒu nǎi ma?) for dairy, and 有面筋吗？(yǒu miànjīn ma?) for gluten. The particle 吗 (ma) turns a statement into a yes/no question. This lesson teaches you to ask these three questions, understand answers like 有 (yǒu, 'yes, it has') and 没有 (méiyǒu, 'no, it doesn't'), and state your allergy clearly. You will also learn to say 我对…过敏 (wǒ duì… guòmǐn, 'I am allergic to…'). Always confirm with staff; do not rely on a single answer.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a dish contains nuts, dairy, or gluten using 有…吗？
- understand and respond to 有 and 没有 answers.
- state a food allergy using 我对…过敏.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个有坚果吗？
Does this contain nuts?
zhè ge yǒu jiānguǒ ma?
Point to the dish or package when saying 这个 (zhè ge, 'this one'). 坚果 (jiānguǒ) covers nuts in general, including peanuts and tree nuts.
这个有奶吗？
Does this contain dairy/milk?
zhè ge yǒu nǎi ma?
奶 (nǎi) means milk/dairy. For 'milk products' you can say 奶制品 (nǎi zhìpǐn).
这个有面筋吗？
Does this contain gluten?
zhè ge yǒu miànjīn ma?
面筋 (miànjīn) is wheat gluten, the protein in wheat. For a gluten-free diet, also mention 小麦 (xiǎomài, wheat), since 面筋 may not be understood as covering all gluten sources.
我对坚果过敏。
I am allergic to nuts.
wǒ duì jiānguǒ guòmǐn.
Replace 坚果 with 奶 (nǎi) or 面筋 (miànjīn) as needed. 过敏 (guòmǐn) means 'allergic'.
没有，这个很安全。
No, it doesn't; this is safe.
méiyǒu, zhè ge hěn ānquán.
A common reassuring answer. Still double-check if your allergy is severe.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 有 (yǒu, 'have/contain') + food item + 吗 (ma). For example: 这个有坚果吗？(zhè ge yǒu jiānguǒ ma? 'Does this have nuts?'). To answer yes, say 有 (yǒu). To answer no, say 没有 (méiyǒu). You can also ask about specific dishes: 宫保鸡丁有坚果吗？(gōngbǎo jīdīng yǒu jiānguǒ ma? 'Does Kung Pao chicken have nuts?'). Note that 有 is used for possession and existence; it is not a technical verb 'to contain', but it works naturally for ingredients. For 'Does it contain dairy?', say 有奶吗？(yǒu nǎi ma?). For gluten, 有面筋吗？(yǒu miànjīn ma?). If you need to ask about multiple items, you can list them: 有坚果、奶或者面筋吗？(yǒu jiānguǒ, nǎi huòzhě miànjīn ma? 'Does it have nuts, dairy, or gluten?').
When to use it
Use these questions in restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, or anywhere food is served. Start with 这个有…吗？(zhè ge yǒu… ma?) while pointing to the item. If the staff looks unsure, show your allergy card or say 我对…过敏 (wǒ duì… guòmǐn). For severe allergies, ask 里面有…吗？(lǐmiàn yǒu… ma? 'Does it have… inside?') to emphasize hidden ingredients. When ordering, you can say 请不要放坚果 (qǐng búyào fàng jiānguǒ, 'Please do not put nuts'). If you are unsure about cross-contamination, ask 可以分开做吗？(kěyǐ fēnkāi zuò ma? 'Can it be made separately?'). Always thank the staff: 谢谢 (xièxie).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，这个有坚果吗？
Hello, does this contain nuts?nǐ hǎo, zhè ge yǒu jiānguǒ ma?没有，这个没有坚果。
No, this doesn't have nuts.méiyǒu, zhè ge méiyǒu jiānguǒ.那有奶吗？我对奶过敏。
Then does it have dairy? I am allergic to dairy.nà yǒu nǎi ma? wǒ duì nǎi guòmǐn.有奶。你可以点这个，没有奶。
It has dairy. You can order this one; it doesn't have dairy.yǒu nǎi. nǐ kěyǐ diǎn zhè ge, méiyǒu nǎi.A little context goes a long way
In mainland China, food allergies are increasingly recognized, but awareness varies. Staff may not always understand the severity of cross-contamination. It is polite to ask clearly and show a written card if needed. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, English may be more common, but using Mandarin shows respect. Avoid saying 我不能吃 (wǒ bù néng chī, 'I cannot eat') alone; it may be interpreted as dislike. Instead, say 我对…过敏 (wǒ duì… guòmǐn) to convey a medical need. Always confirm with a manager if possible.
One thing to watch for
Using 有…吗？but forgetting 吗, turning it into a statement: 这个有坚果 (zhè ge yǒu jiānguǒ).
Try this instead: Without 吗, it means 'This has nuts.' To ask a question, always add 吗 at the end: 这个有坚果吗？(zhè ge yǒu jiānguǒ ma?). Alternatively, use the A-not-A form: 这个有没有坚果？(zhè ge yǒu méiyǒu jiānguǒ?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Does this contain gluten?' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
这个有面筋吗？(zhè ge yǒu miànjīn ma?)
This uses the pattern 有 + 面筋 + 吗. You could also ask 这个有小麦吗？(zhè ge yǒu xiǎomài ma?) if focusing on wheat.
2What does 没有 (méiyǒu) mean in response to 有坚果吗？
Show a sample answer
It means 'No, it doesn't have nuts.'
没有 is the negative form of 有. It directly answers the question. In context, it means the item does not contain nuts.
3How would you say 'I am allergic to dairy'?
Show a sample answer
我对奶过敏。(wǒ duì nǎi guòmǐn.)
This uses 对…过敏. You can replace 奶 with 坚果 (jiānguǒ) or 面筋 (miànjīn). It is a clear way to state an allergy.
Always ask 有…吗？with the specific ingredient, listen for 有 or 没有, and state 我对…过敏 to be safe. When in doubt, double-check.
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