How to Say 'I Am Lactose Intolerant' in Japanese and Explain Digestive Symptoms
Learn to say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Japanese, describe digestive symptoms, and distinguish it from a milk allergy. Includes phrases, a dialogue, and a common mistake.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you are lactose intolerant, you need to tell people in Japanese that dairy causes digestive problems, not an allergic reaction. This lesson teaches you the key phrase 乳糖不耐症 (nyūtō futai-shō) and how to explain symptoms like stomach pain, gas, and diarrhea. You will also learn to ask whether food contains milk and to distinguish lactose intolerance from a milk allergy, which is a different condition. By the end, you can communicate your dietary needs clearly and politely in everyday situations such as restaurants, cafes, or staying with friends.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Japanese.
- describe digestive symptoms caused by dairy.
- ask whether a food contains milk or dairy.
- explain that lactose intolerance is not a milk allergy.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
私は乳糖不耐症です。
I am lactose intolerant.
Watashi wa nyūtō futaishō desu.
A clear, polite statement. Use it at restaurants, cafes, or when someone offers you dairy.
乳製品を食べるとお腹が痛くなります。
When I eat dairy products, I get a stomachache.
Nyūseihin o taberu to onaka ga itaku narimasu.
Use this to explain the consequence. 乳製品 (nyūseihin) means 'dairy products'.
牛乳を飲むとお腹を壊します。
Drinking milk gives me diarrhea / upsets my stomach.
Gyūnyū o nomu to onaka o kowashimasu.
お腹を壊す (onaka o kowasu) is a common euphemism for diarrhea or digestive upset.
これは乳糖不耐症で、アレルギーではありません。
This is lactose intolerance, not an allergy.
Kore wa nyūtō futaishō de, arerugī de wa arimasen.
Use this to clarify the difference. アレルギー (arerugī) means 'allergy'. Note that 乳糖不耐症 is pronounced nyūtō futaishō, with no pause between futai and shō.
これは牛乳が入っていますか。
Does this contain milk?
Kore wa gyūnyū ga haitte imasu ka.
A useful question when ordering food or checking ingredients. You can replace 牛乳 with 乳製品 for 'dairy products'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe what happens when you consume something, use the pattern: [food] + を + [verb in dictionary form] + と + [result]. For example, 牛乳を飲むとお腹が痛くなります (Gyūnyū o nomu to onaka ga itaku narimasu) means 'When I drink milk, I get a stomachache.' The と (to) here means 'whenever' or 'if', and the result follows automatically every time. You can also use と with other symptoms: 乳製品を食べるとガスが出ます (Nyūseihin o taberu to gasu ga demasu) — 'When I eat dairy, I get gas.' Note that お腹 (onaka) means 'stomach' or 'belly', and 痛くなります (itaku narimasu) means 'becomes painful'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you need to explain your condition to someone who is preparing or serving food. For example, at a restaurant: すみません、私は乳糖不耐症です。牛乳が入っていますか (Sumimasen, watashi wa nyūtō futaishō desu. Gyūnyū ga haitte imasu ka) — 'Excuse me, I am lactose intolerant. Does this contain milk?' If someone offers you a latte, you can say すみません、牛乳を飲むとお腹を壊すので (Sumimasen, gyūnyū o nomu to onaka o kowasu node) — 'Sorry, because drinking milk upsets my stomach...' The ので (node) gives a polite reason. Use アレルギーではありません (arerugī de wa arimasen) only if you need to clarify that it is not a life-threatening allergy.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、私は乳糖不耐症です。このケーキに牛乳は入っていますか。
Excuse me, I am lactose intolerant. Does this cake contain milk?Sumimasen, watashi wa nyūtō futaishō desu. Kono kēki ni gyūnyū wa haitte imasu ka.はい、牛乳とバターが入っています。乳製品を食べるとどうなりますか。
Yes, it contains milk and butter. What happens when you eat dairy products?Hai, gyūnyū to batā ga haitte imasu. Nyūseihin o taberu to dō narimasu ka.お腹が痛くなったり、下痢をしたりします。アレルギーではないですが、食べられません。
I get a stomachache and diarrhea. It's not an allergy, but I can't eat it.Onaka ga itaku nattari, geri o shitari shimasu. Arerugī de wa nai desu ga, taberaremasen.わかりました。牛乳を使っていないデザートはこちらです。
I understand. Here are desserts that don't use milk.Wakarimashita. Gyūnyū o tsukatte inai dezāto wa kochira desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, lactose intolerance is less commonly discussed than in some Western countries, but awareness is growing. It is important to distinguish it from a milk allergy (牛乳アレルギー, gyūnyū arerugī), which can be severe. When explaining your condition, be polite and clear. Many Japanese people may not be familiar with the term 乳糖不耐症, so you might need to explain symptoms simply. Also, dairy is present in many Japanese foods, including some breads, curries, and desserts, so always ask. If you have a severe allergy, you should carry a medical alert card in Japanese.
One thing to watch for
Using アレルギー (allergy) to describe lactose intolerance, as in 私は牛乳アレルギーです (Watashi wa gyūnyū arerugī desu).
Try this instead: Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. Say 私は乳糖不耐症です (Watashi wa nyūtō futaishō desu) instead. If you need to clarify, add アレルギーではありません (arerugī de wa arimasen). Using アレルギー incorrectly could cause confusion or unnecessary alarm.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
私は乳糖不耐症です。 (Watashi wa nyūtō futaishō desu.)
This is the standard polite way. You could also say 乳糖不耐症です without 私は if the subject is clear.
2What phrase means 'When I drink milk, I get a stomachache'?
Show a sample answer
牛乳を飲むとお腹が痛くなります。 (Gyūnyū o nomu to onaka ga itaku narimasu.)
This uses the と pattern to show a natural consequence. You can replace 牛乳 with other dairy items.
3How would you ask if a dish contains milk?
Show a sample answer
これは牛乳が入っていますか。 (Kore wa gyūnyū ga haitte imasu ka.)
This is a direct and polite question. You can also ask 乳製品は入っていますか (Nyūseihin wa haitte imasu ka) for 'Does it contain dairy products?'
Use 乳糖不耐症 (nyūtō futaishō) to say you are lactose intolerant, and explain symptoms with the と pattern. Always clarify that it is not an allergy with アレルギーではありません.
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