How to Say 'I Am Lactose Intolerant' in Korean
Learn to explain lactose intolerance in Korean: say you can't digest milk, describe digestive symptoms, and distinguish it from an allergy.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you need to tell someone in Korean that you are lactose intolerant, you need more than a dictionary word. You need to explain that your body has trouble digesting milk sugar, and that this causes digestive problems like stomach pain or diarrhea. This lesson teaches you the key phrase '우유를 못 먹어요' (I can't eat/drink milk) and how to add that it's because of lactose intolerance. You'll also learn to describe what happens and to clarify that this is not an allergy. By the end, you can order drinks safely and explain your condition politely.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Korean.
- explain that milk causes digestive problems like stomach pain or diarrhea.
- distinguish lactose intolerance from a milk allergy in Korean.
- ask whether a drink or food contains milk.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
저는 유당불내증이에요.
I am lactose intolerant.
jeo-neun yudang-bullaejeung-ieyo
The standard, polite way to state your condition. Use with doctors, friends, or restaurant staff.
우유를 못 먹어요.
I can't eat/drink milk.
uyu-reul mot meogeoyo
A simple, practical phrase. '못' means 'cannot' due to inability or circumstance. Use it when refusing milk or asking for alternatives.
우유를 마시면 배가 아파요.
If I drink milk, my stomach hurts.
uyu-reul masimyeon bae-ga apayo
Describes the consequence. You can replace '배가 아파요' with other symptoms.
설사를 해요.
I have diarrhea.
seolsa-reul haeyo
A direct but polite way to mention diarrhea. Useful when explaining symptoms to a doctor or close friend.
이거 우유 들어갔어요?
Does this contain milk?
igeo uyu deureogasseoyo?
Ask before ordering. '들어갔어요' literally means 'went in', used for ingredients.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say you can't consume something, use '못 먹어요' (can't eat) or '못 마셔요' (can't drink). For example: '우유를 못 마셔요' (I can't drink milk). To explain the result, use '(으)면' (if/when) + symptom: '우유를 마시면 배가 아파요' (If I drink milk, my stomach hurts). You can also say '유당불내증이 있어요' (I have lactose intolerance) to state it as a condition.
When to use it
Use '저는 유당불내증이에요' when you need to inform someone clearly, such as at a café or with a doctor. If you just want to avoid milk without a long explanation, '우유를 못 먹어요' is enough. When asking about food, '이거 우유 들어갔어요?' is polite and direct. To distinguish from an allergy, say '알레르기가 아니에요. 소화가 안 돼요' (It's not an allergy. I can't digest it).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
어서 오세요. 뭘 드릴까요?
Welcome. What can I get you?eoseo oseyo. mwol deurilkkayo?저는 유당불내증이에요. 우유 없는 음료 있어요?
I am lactose intolerant. Do you have any drinks without milk?jeo-neun yudang-bullaejeung-ieyo. uyu eomneun eumnyo isseoyo?네, 두유 라떼나 아메리카노가 있어요.
Yes, we have soy latte or Americano.ne, duyu ratte-na amerikano-ga isseoyo.그럼 두유 라떼 주세요. 우유를 마시면 배가 아프거든요.
Then please give me a soy latte. Because if I drink milk, my stomach hurts.geureom duyu ratte juseyo. uyu-reul masimyeon bae-ga apeugeodeunyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, lactose intolerance is widely recognized, and many cafés offer soy or almond milk alternatives. However, it is less common to announce a dietary restriction loudly; a brief, polite explanation is appreciated. When eating out, it's okay to ask about ingredients, but avoid lengthy medical details unless necessary. Using '저는 유당불내증이에요' is clear and polite. For a milk allergy, which can be severe, you would say '우유 알레르기가 있어요' and emphasize that it's dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
One thing to watch for
Using '우유 알레르기가 있어요' to mean lactose intolerance.
Try this instead: An allergy is an immune reaction and can be life-threatening; lactose intolerance is a digestive issue. Say '저는 유당불내증이에요' or '우유를 소화 못 해요' (I can't digest milk) instead. For allergy, use '우유 알레르기가 있어요'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I am lactose intolerant' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
저는 유당불내증이에요.
This is the standard polite phrase. You could also say '저는 유당불내증이 있어요' (I have lactose intolerance), which is equally correct.
2Translate: 'If I drink milk, I have diarrhea.'
Show a sample answer
우유를 마시면 설사를 해요.
This uses the pattern '(으)면' for 'if/when' and '설사를 해요' for 'have diarrhea'. You could also say '설사가 나요'.
3How would you ask a server if a drink contains milk?
Show a sample answer
이거 우유 들어갔어요?
This is a direct, polite question. Alternatively, you can ask '우유 들어있어요?' which means the same.
Use '저는 유당불내증이에요' to state your condition, and '우유를 못 먹어요' to refuse milk. Describe symptoms with '우유를 마시면 배가 아파요' or '설사를 해요'. Always clarify it's not an allergy by saying '알레르기가 아니에요'.
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