How to Say 'I Am Lactose Intolerant' in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to say you are lactose intolerant in Mandarin, explain digestive symptoms, and distinguish it from a milk allergy. Includes key phrases, a dialogue, and practice.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you are lactose intolerant, eating dairy can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms. In Mandarin Chinese, you need to say this clearly so others understand it is a digestive issue, not a life-threatening allergy. This lesson teaches you the key phrase 我乳糖不耐受 (wǒ rǔtáng bù nàishòu) and how to describe what happens. You will also learn to ask about dairy in food and explain your symptoms politely. The focus is on digestive problems like bloating, gas, and diarrhea, which are different from an allergy that can cause rash or breathing trouble. By the end, you can communicate your needs in restaurants, at friends' homes, or when shopping.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Mandarin.
- describe common digestive symptoms after eating dairy.
- ask if a food contains milk or lactose.
- distinguish lactose intolerance from a milk allergy in Chinese.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我乳糖不耐受。
I am lactose intolerant.
wǒ rǔtáng bù nàishòu
Use this to state your condition directly. 乳糖 means lactose, 不耐受 means intolerant.
我喝牛奶会拉肚子。
Drinking milk gives me diarrhea.
wǒ hē niúnǎi huì lā dùzi
A common way to explain the consequence. 拉肚子 is a colloquial term for diarrhea.
吃了奶制品我会胀气和放屁。
After eating dairy products, I get bloated and pass gas.
chī le nǎizhìpǐn wǒ huì zhàngqì hé fàngpì
奶制品 means dairy products. 胀气 is bloating, 放屁 is passing gas.
这个菜里有牛奶吗？
Does this dish contain milk?
zhège cài lǐ yǒu niúnǎi ma?
Ask this in restaurants. 菜 means dish, 里 means in, 有 means have.
我对乳糖不耐受，不是过敏。
I am lactose intolerant, not allergic.
wǒ duì rǔtáng bù nàishòu, bú shì guòmǐn
Clarify the difference. 过敏 means allergic. Use 对 to indicate 'towards' a substance.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe a food causing a symptom, use the pattern: 我 + 吃/喝 + food + 会 + symptom. For example, 我喝牛奶会拉肚子 means 'Drinking milk gives me diarrhea.' You can replace the food and symptom: 我吃奶酪会胀气 (Eating cheese gives me bloating). To say you are intolerant to something, use 我对 + substance + 不耐受: 我对乳糖不耐受. This pattern is essential for explaining your condition.
When to use it
Use 我乳糖不耐受 when you need to inform someone directly, such as at a restaurant or a friend's house. If you want to ask about ingredients, say 这个菜里有牛奶吗？ (Does this dish have milk?). To explain your symptoms, use the pattern with 会. For example, 我喝牛奶会拉肚子. When someone offers you dairy, you can politely refuse: 谢谢，我乳糖不耐受，不能吃奶制品 (Thanks, I'm lactose intolerant, I can't eat dairy). Always clarify it's not an allergy if needed: 不是过敏，是消化问题 (Not an allergy, it's a digestive issue).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，这个菜里有牛奶吗？
Hello, does this dish contain milk?nǐ hǎo, zhège cài lǐ yǒu niúnǎi ma?有，我们用了奶油。
Yes, we used cream.yǒu, wǒmen yòng le nǎiyóu.我乳糖不耐受，吃了会拉肚子。有别的菜吗？
I am lactose intolerant; eating it gives me diarrhea. Do you have other dishes?wǒ rǔtáng bù nàishòu, chī le huì lā dùzi. yǒu bié de cài ma?有，这个炒青菜没有牛奶。
Yes, this stir-fried greens have no milk.yǒu, zhège chǎo qīngcài méiyǒu niúnǎi.A little context goes a long way
In China, lactose intolerance is common, but awareness varies. Many people may not know the term 乳糖不耐受, so explaining symptoms like 拉肚子 (diarrhea) can be clearer. When eating out, it's polite to ask about ingredients rather than assume. If you have a severe allergy, emphasize 过敏 (allergy) because that is better understood as a serious condition. For lactose intolerance, you can say 我消化不了乳糖 (I can't digest lactose) to clarify it's a digestive issue.
One thing to watch for
Saying 我有乳糖不耐受 (I have lactose intolerance) using 有 (have).
Try this instead: In Mandarin, 有 is not used with 不耐受. Instead, say 我乳糖不耐受 or 我对乳糖不耐受. For example, 我乳糖不耐受，不能喝牛奶 (I am lactose intolerant, I can't drink milk).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我乳糖不耐受。
This is the standard phrase. You can also say 我对乳糖不耐受, which is equally correct.
2Translate: 'Drinking milk gives me diarrhea.'
Show a sample answer
我喝牛奶会拉肚子。
This uses the pattern 我 + 喝 + 牛奶 + 会 + 拉肚子. You could also say 我喝牛奶就拉肚子, which is similar.
3How would you ask if a dish contains milk?
Show a sample answer
这个菜里有牛奶吗？
This is a polite way to ask. You can also ask 这个菜里有奶制品吗？ (Does this dish have dairy products?).
Use 我乳糖不耐受 to state your condition, and 我喝牛奶会拉肚子 to explain the digestive consequence. Ask about ingredients with 有牛奶吗？ and clarify it's not an allergy with 不是过敏.
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