German for Food Allergies: Asking About Specific Ingredients
Learn to ask if a dish contains a specific ingredient in German, understand the answer, and handle common dietary restrictions with confidence.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, asking about specific ingredients is essential. In German, you can ask 'Ist da Knoblauch drin?' to find out if a dish contains garlic. This lesson teaches you how to ask about particular ingredients, understand the response, and communicate your needs clearly. You'll learn key phrases for common allergens and how to react politely.
By the end, you can…
- ask if a dish contains a specific ingredient in German.
- understand a simple yes/no answer about ingredients.
- name common allergens in German.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ist da Knoblauch drin?
Is there garlic in it?
ist dah K'NOHP-lowkh drin
Use 'da' to mean 'in it' when referring to a dish or product. 'Knoblauch' is masculine, but that doesn't affect this pattern.
Enthält das Nüsse?
Does this contain nuts?
ent-HALT dahs NÜS-seh
More formal, often used for packaged food. 'Enthält' is the third-person singular of 'enthalten' (to contain).
Ich bin allergisch gegen Milch.
I am allergic to milk.
ikh bin ah-LAIR-gish GAY-gen milkh
Use 'gegen' for the substance you're allergic to. 'Milch' is feminine, but 'gegen' always takes the accusative, so no change.
Kann ich das ohne Zwiebeln bekommen?
Can I have that without onions?
kahn ikh dahs OH-neh TSVEE-beln beh-KOM-men
Use 'ohne' + accusative to request without an ingredient. 'Zwiebeln' is plural; the accusative plural is the same as nominative.
Ist in dem Gericht Soja?
Is there soy in the dish?
ist in daym geh-RIKHT ZOY-ah
Alternative word order: 'in dem Gericht' (in the dish) comes before 'Soja'. 'Gericht' is neuter, so 'dem' is used.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if a specific ingredient is in a dish, use: 'Ist da [ingredient] drin?' or 'Ist [ingredient] in dem Gericht?' For example: 'Ist da Knoblauch drin?' (Is there garlic in it?) or 'Ist Soja in dem Gericht?' (Is soy in the dish?). The word 'da' means 'there' and 'drin' means 'in it'. Together, 'da ... drin' is a common way to ask about contents. For plural ingredients, use 'sind' instead of 'ist': 'Sind da Nüsse drin?' (Are there nuts in it?).
When to use it
Use these questions when ordering at a restaurant, buying food at a market, or checking packaged goods. For packaged food, you might see 'Enthält: ...' on the label, meaning 'Contains: ...'. If you have a severe allergy, it's important to communicate clearly: 'Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse.' (I am allergic to nuts.) Then ask: 'Sind da Nüsse drin?' Note that in German, the ingredient after 'da' is the subject, so it's in the nominative case: 'Ist da Knoblauch drin?' is correct because 'Knoblauch' is the subject. If you want to be more formal, use 'Enthält das Knoblauch?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, ist da Knoblauch in der Suppe?
Excuse me, is there garlic in the soup?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist dah K'NOHP-lowkh in dair ZUP-pehJa, ein bisschen. Möchten Sie etwas ohne Knoblauch?
Yes, a little. Would you like something without garlic?yah, ine BISS-khen. MURKH-ten zee ET-vahs OH-neh K'NOHP-lowkhJa, bitte. Ich bin allergisch gegen Knoblauch. Gibt es eine Alternative?
Yes, please. I am allergic to garlic. Is there an alternative?yah, BIT-teh. ikh bin ah-LAIR-gish GAY-gen K'NOHP-lowkh. GEEPT es INE al-ter-nah-TEE-vehWir haben auch eine Tomatensuppe ohne Knoblauch.
We also have a tomato soup without garlic.veer HAH-ben owkh INE toh-MAH-ten-zup-peh OH-neh K'NOHP-lowkhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, food allergies are taken seriously, but it's helpful to be explicit. In restaurants, staff are usually knowledgeable about ingredients, but for severe allergies, it's wise to ask for the chef. In Austria and Switzerland, some terms may differ slightly (e.g., 'Erdapfel' for potato in Austria), but the phrases here are understood everywhere. When in doubt, show a written note or use a translation app.
One thing to watch for
Using 'mit' (with) instead of 'ohne' (without) when asking for a dish without an ingredient, e.g., 'Kann ich das mit Zwiebeln bekommen?' when you mean without.
Try this instead: Use 'ohne' for 'without': 'Kann ich das ohne Zwiebeln bekommen?' (Can I have that without onions?). 'Mit' means 'with', so 'mit Zwiebeln' would mean you want onions.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if a dish contains milk?
Show a sample answer
Ist da Milch drin?
This uses the pattern 'Ist da [ingredient] drin?' with 'Milch' (milk). Alternatively, you could ask 'Enthält das Milch?'
2What does 'Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse' mean?
Show a sample answer
I am allergic to nuts.
'Ich bin allergisch gegen' means 'I am allergic to', and 'Nüsse' means 'nuts'. This is a clear way to state an allergy.
3How would you ask for a dish without onions?
Show a sample answer
Kann ich das ohne Zwiebeln bekommen?
This uses 'ohne' + accusative. 'Zwiebeln' is plural, and the accusative form is the same as nominative. You could also say 'Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.'
To ask about specific ingredients in German, use 'Ist da [ingredient] drin?' or 'Enthält das [ingredient]?' Remember to use 'ohne' for 'without' and 'gegen' for allergies. Always communicate clearly if you have a severe allergy.
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