Korean for Allergies: Ask 'Does This Contain Nuts, Dairy, or Gluten?'
Learn to ask in Korean whether a dish contains nuts, dairy, or gluten, and understand common responses to keep you safe while eating.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you have a food allergy or intolerance, being able to ask clearly about ingredients is essential. In Korean, you can ask whether a dish contains specific allergens. This lesson teaches you the key phrases to ask about nuts, dairy, and gluten, and to understand the answers you might hear. You will learn how to say 'Does this contain nuts?' and similar questions, as well as how to recognize responses like 'It contains nuts' or 'It doesn't contain nuts.' The focus is on safety, so you can communicate your needs confidently in restaurants or when eating with others.
By the end, you can…
- ask in Korean whether a dish contains nuts, dairy, or gluten.
- understand simple yes/no answers about allergens in Korean.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
이거 견과류 들어 있어요?
Does this contain nuts?
i-geo gyeon-gwa-ryu deu-reo i-sseo-yo?
Use this when asking about any dish that might contain nuts. '견과류' means nuts.
이거 유제품 들어 있어요?
Does this contain dairy?
i-geo yu-je-pum deu-reo i-sseo-yo?
Use for dairy products like milk, cheese, or butter. '유제품' means dairy products.
이거 글루텐 들어 있어요?
Does this contain gluten?
i-geo geul-lu-ten deu-reo i-sseo-yo?
Use for gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye. '글루텐' is a loanword.
네, 들어 있어요.
Yes, it contains it.
ne, deu-reo i-sseo-yo.
A simple affirmative answer. You may also hear '네, 있어요.'
아니요, 안 들어 있어요.
No, it doesn't contain it.
a-ni-yo, an deu-reo i-sseo-yo.
A negative answer. '안' makes the verb negative.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is '[food] 들어 있어요?' which means 'Does it contain [ingredient]?' You can replace the food word with the allergen. For example, '이거 견과류 들어 있어요?' (Does this contain nuts?), '이거 유제품 들어 있어요?' (Does this contain dairy?), '이거 글루텐 들어 있어요?' (Does this contain gluten?). To answer yes, say '네, 들어 있어요.' To answer no, say '아니요, 안 들어 있어요.' You can also use '있어요?' for 'Is there?' and '없어요' for 'There isn't.'
When to use it
Use these questions when ordering food at a restaurant, buying prepared food, or eating at someone's home. It is polite to start with '저기요' (excuse me) to get attention, then ask. For example, '저기요, 이거 견과류 들어 있어요?' If you have a severe allergy, you might also say '견과류 알레르기가 있어요' (I have a nut allergy) to emphasize. Always confirm the answer; if unsure, ask again or choose a different dish.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
저기요, 이거 견과류 들어 있어요?
Excuse me, does this contain nuts?jeo-gi-yo, i-geo gyeon-gwa-ryu deu-reo i-sseo-yo?네, 들어 있어요.
Yes, it contains them.ne, deu-reo i-sseo-yo.그럼 유제품은 들어 있어요?
Then does it contain dairy?geu-reom yu-je-pum-eun deu-reo i-sseo-yo?아니요, 유제품은 안 들어 있어요.
No, it doesn't contain dairy.a-ni-yo, yu-je-pum-eun an deu-reo i-sseo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, food allergies are taken seriously, but awareness may vary. It's helpful to clearly state your allergy and ask specifically. Using '알레르기가 있어요' (I have an allergy) can emphasize your need. In many restaurants, staff are willing to check ingredients, but cross-contamination is possible. If your allergy is severe, consider carrying a written card in Korean. Politeness is key: use '저기요' to call a server and speak calmly.
One thing to watch for
Using '이거에 견과류 있어요?' (Does it have nuts on it?) which can imply physical presence on top rather than as an ingredient.
Try this instead: Use '이거 견과류 들어 있어요?' with the verb '들어 있다' meaning 'to be contained.' For example, '이거 견과류 들어 있어요?' is the correct way to ask about ingredients.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask if a dish contains dairy?
Show a sample answer
이거 유제품 들어 있어요?
This uses the pattern '[food] 들어 있어요?' with '유제품' (dairy). You could also ask '이거 우유 들어 있어요?' if you mean milk specifically.
2What does '아니요, 안 들어 있어요.' mean?
Show a sample answer
No, it doesn't contain it.
This is a negative answer. '안' makes the verb negative, and '들어 있어요' means 'contains.'
3How would you say 'I have a nut allergy' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
견과류 알레르기가 있어요.
This uses '알레르기가 있어요' (I have an allergy) with '견과류' (nuts). You can replace '견과류' with other allergens.
Always ask '이거 [allergen] 들어 있어요?' to check for allergens, and listen for '네, 들어 있어요' or '아니요, 안 들어 있어요.' When in doubt, ask again or avoid the dish.
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