How to Say 'I Am Lactose Intolerant' in German (and Explain the Symptoms)
Learn to say 'I am lactose intolerant' in German, describe digestive symptoms, and distinguish it from an allergy.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you need to tell someone in German that you are lactose intolerant, you need more than just the phrase itself. You also need to explain what happens when you consume dairy, because lactose intolerance is a digestive issue, not an allergy. This lesson teaches you the key sentence, how to describe symptoms like bloating, cramps, and diarrhea, and how to clarify that it is not a dangerous allergy. You will also learn polite ways to ask about food ingredients, so you can avoid discomfort when eating out or shopping.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I am lactose intolerant' in German.
- describe common digestive symptoms after eating dairy.
- explain that lactose intolerance is not an allergy.
- ask whether a food or drink contains lactose.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich bin laktoseintolerant.
I am lactose intolerant.
ikh bin lak-TOH-zuh-in-to-leh-RANT
Standard, neutral statement. Use it with doctors, waiters, or friends. The adjective 'laktoseintolerant' is not declined here because it follows the verb 'sein'.
Ich vertrage keine Laktose.
I can't tolerate lactose.
ikh fer-TRAH-guh KY-nuh lak-TOH-zuh
A softer, more common way to say it. Literally 'I don't tolerate lactose.' Use it when you want to sound less clinical.
Wenn ich Milchprodukte esse, bekomme ich Bauchschmerzen und Blähungen.
When I eat dairy products, I get stomach pain and bloating.
ven ikh MILKH-proh-duk-tuh ES-uh, beh-KOM-uh ikh BOWKH-shmer-tsen unt BLEH-oong-en
Describes digestive symptoms. 'Bauchschmerzen' = stomach pain, 'Blähungen' = bloating/gas. Use 'esse' for eating; for drinking use 'trinke'.
Das ist keine Allergie, sondern eine Unverträglichkeit.
That is not an allergy, but an intolerance.
das ist KY-nuh a-ler-GEE, ZON-dern KY-nuh un-fer-TREH-glikh-kyt
Clarifies the difference. 'Unverträglichkeit' is the standard term for intolerance. Use this to avoid confusion with a dangerous allergy.
Enthält das Laktose?
Does this contain lactose?
ent-HALT das lak-TOH-zuh
Ask about food or drinks. For plural, say 'Enthalten die ... Laktose?' You can also ask 'Ist da Laktose drin?' in casual speech.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say you are intolerant to something, use 'Ich bin ...-intolerant' or 'Ich vertrage kein/keine ...'. For example: 'Ich bin laktoseintolerant.' (I am lactose intolerant.) 'Ich vertrage keinen Weizen.' (I can't tolerate wheat.) 'Ich vertrage keine Nüsse.' (I can't tolerate nuts.) The verb 'vertragen' literally means 'to tolerate' and is very common for food intolerances. Note that 'kein' changes to 'keine' or 'keinen' depending on the gender of the noun: 'keine Laktose' (feminine), 'keinen Weizen' (masculine), 'kein Gluten' (neuter).
When to use it
Use 'Ich bin laktoseintolerant' when you need to state the condition clearly, for example at a doctor's office or when someone offers you milk. Use 'Ich vertrage keine Laktose' in everyday situations, like ordering coffee or explaining to a friend why you avoid cheese. To describe what happens, say 'Wenn ich ... esse/trinke, bekomme ich ...' (When I eat/drink ..., I get ...). For example: 'Wenn ich Milch trinke, bekomme ich Durchfall.' (When I drink milk, I get diarrhea.) This pattern helps you explain your symptoms without sounding dramatic. Always mention that it is not an allergy if someone seems worried: 'Keine Sorge, es ist keine Allergie, nur eine Unverträglichkeit.' (Don't worry, it's not an allergy, just an intolerance.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich hätte gern einen Kaffee mit Milch.
Hello, I would like a coffee with milk.GOO-ten tahk, ikh HET-uh gern KY-nen KAF-uh mit milkhGerne. Möchten Sie auch etwas essen?
Certainly. Would you like something to eat as well?GER-nuh. MERKH-ten zee owkh ET-vas ES-enNein danke. Ich bin laktoseintolerant. Deshalb vertrage ich keine Milch.
No thanks. I am lactose intolerant. That's why I can't tolerate milk.nyn DAN-kuh. ikh bin lak-TOH-zuh-in-to-leh-RANT. DES-halp fer-TRAH-guh ikh KY-nuh milkhVerstehe. Möchten Sie stattdessen Sojamilch? Die ist laktosefrei.
I see. Would you like soy milk instead? That is lactose-free.fer-SHTEH-uh. MERKH-ten zee shtat-DES-en ZOY-ah-milkh? dee ist lak-TOH-zuh-fryA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, lactose-free products are widely available and labeled 'laktosefrei'. When you say 'Ich bin laktoseintolerant', people generally understand it as a digestive issue, not a life-threatening allergy. However, in restaurants, it is polite to ask specifically about ingredients rather than expecting the staff to know every detail. In Austria and Switzerland, the term 'Laktoseintoleranz' is standard, but you may also hear 'Milchzuckerunverträglichkeit' in more formal or medical contexts. Avoid saying 'Ich habe eine Allergie' unless you truly have an allergy, as this could cause unnecessary alarm and lead to different precautions.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich habe Laktoseintoleranz' with 'haben' (to have) as if it were a temporary condition, or using 'Allergie' instead of 'Unverträglichkeit'.
Try this instead: The standard way is 'Ich bin laktoseintolerant' (I am lactose intolerant) or 'Ich habe eine Laktoseintoleranz' (I have lactose intolerance). But do not say 'Ich habe eine Laktoseallergie' unless you actually have an allergy. For intolerance, use 'Unverträglichkeit': 'Ich habe eine Laktoseunverträglichkeit.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I am lactose intolerant' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich bin laktoseintolerant.
This is the most direct and common way. You could also say 'Ich habe eine Laktoseintoleranz', but the adjective form is simpler and widely used.
2Translate: 'When I drink milk, I get stomach pain.'
Show a sample answer
Wenn ich Milch trinke, bekomme ich Bauchschmerzen.
This uses the pattern 'Wenn ich ..., bekomme ich ...'. You could also say 'Wenn ich Milch trinke, habe ich Bauchschmerzen', which is equally correct.
3How would you ask a waiter if a dish contains lactose?
Show a sample answer
Enthält das Gericht Laktose?
This is polite and clear. In casual settings, you can ask 'Ist da Laktose drin?' Both are acceptable.
Use 'Ich bin laktoseintolerant' or 'Ich vertrage keine Laktose' to state your condition. Describe symptoms with 'Wenn ich ..., bekomme ich ...'. Clarify that it is an intolerance, not an allergy, and ask 'Enthält das Laktose?' when ordering food.
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