How to Say "I Am Allergic to Peanuts" in Korean
Learn to state a peanut allergy in Korean with the -(에) 알레르기가 있어요 pattern, and understand why it differs from saying gluten-free.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you have a peanut allergy, being able to say so clearly in Korean is a practical safety skill. In Korean, allergies are usually expressed with the noun 알레르기 (allereugi, "allergy") plus the verb 있어요 (isseoyo, "to exist/have"). This lesson teaches you to name a specific allergen, ask whether a dish contains it, and understand why this is not the same as saying 글루텐 프리 (geulluten peuri, "gluten-free"). A peanut allergy involves an immune reaction, so the wording must be direct and unambiguous.
By the end, you can…
- say I am allergic to peanuts in Korean using the -(에) 알레르기가 있어요 pattern.
- ask whether a food contains peanuts.
- explain that this is an immune reaction, not a dietary preference.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요.
I am allergic to peanuts.
jeo-neun ttangkong allereugi-ga isseoyo
The most direct, standard way to state a peanut allergy. 저는 means "as for me," and 알레르기가 있어요 literally means "an allergy exists." The particle 가 marks 알레르기 as the subject.
땅콩이 들어 있어요?
Does it contain peanuts?
ttangkong-i deureo isseoyo?
Use this when asking about a dish. 들어 있어요 means "is contained in it." The subject particle 이 marks 땅콩 as the thing being asked about.
땅콩을 먹으면 안 돼요.
I must not eat peanuts.
ttangkong-eul meogeumyeon an dwaeyo
A strong way to say you cannot eat peanuts. This uses the conditional -(으)면 plus 안 돼요, meaning "it is not allowed."
이 음식에 땅콩이 들어갔어요?
Does this food contain peanuts?
i eumsik-e ttangkong-i deureogasseoyo?
A slightly more specific question about a particular dish. 들어갔어요 is the past tense of 들어가요, "to go in / be put in." In questions about ingredients, it is used much like 들어 있어요.
저는 땅콩에 심한 알레르기 반응이 있어요.
I have a severe allergic reaction to peanuts.
jeo-neun ttangkong-e simhan allereugi baneung-i isseoyo
Use this to emphasize severity. 반응 means "reaction," and 심한 means "severe." The particle 에 marks the trigger.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [allergen] + 알레르기가 있어요. For example, 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요 (ttangkong allereugi-ga isseoyo) means "I have a peanut allergy." You can replace 땅콩 with other allergens: 우유 알레르기가 있어요 (uyu allereugi-ga isseoyo, "I have a milk allergy") or 새우 알레르기가 있어요 (saeu allereugi-ga isseoyo, "I have a shrimp allergy"). To say "I am allergic to X," you can also use X + 에 알레르기가 있어요, as in 땅콩에 알레르기가 있어요 (ttangkong-e allereugi-ga isseoyo). The particle 에 marks the thing you react to.
When to use it
Use these sentences when ordering food, reading menus, or speaking with restaurant staff. For example, if you are unsure about a dish, ask 이 음식에 땅콩이 들어 있어요? (i eumsik-e ttangkong-i deureo isseoyo?, "Does this food contain peanuts?"). If the answer is yes, you can say 그럼 저는 못 먹어요 (geureom jeoneun mot meogeoyo, "Then I can't eat it"). This is different from saying 글루텐 프리 (geulluten peuri, "gluten-free"), which describes a food choice or dietary style. A peanut allergy is an immune reaction, so you should state it as a medical fact, not as a preference.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. 이 음식에 땅콩이 들어 있어요?
I am allergic to peanuts. Does this food contain peanuts?jeo-neun ttangkong allereugi-ga isseoyo. i eumsik-e ttangkong-i deureo isseoyo?네, 이 요리에는 땅콩 소스가 들어 있어요.
Yes, this dish contains peanut sauce.ne, i yori-eneun ttangkong soseu-ga deureo isseoyo.그럼 저는 못 먹어요. 땅콩을 빼 주실 수 있어요?
Then I can't eat it. Could you remove the peanuts?geureom jeoneun mot meogeoyo. ttangkong-eul ppae jusil su isseoyo?죄송하지만 땅콩을 빼기는 어려워요. 다른 음식을 추천해 드릴게요.
I'm sorry, but it's difficult to remove the peanuts. I'll recommend another dish for you.joesonghajiman ttangkong-eul ppaegineun eoryeowoyo. dareun eumsik-eul chucheonhae deurilgeyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean restaurants, staff are generally helpful when you explain a serious allergy, but peanut oil and peanut sauce are common in some dishes. It is best to state your allergy clearly and ask specifically about ingredients. Using 알레르기가 있어요 is understood as a medical condition, while 글루텐 프리 may be heard as a dietary preference. If your allergy is severe, consider carrying a written Korean card.
One thing to watch for
Saying 저는 땅콩을 좋아하지 않아요 (jeoneun ttangkong-eul joahaji anayo, "I don't like peanuts") when you mean you are allergic.
Try this instead: That sentence only says you dislike peanuts. For an allergy, say 저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요 (jeoneun ttangkong allereugi-ga isseoyo). This makes clear it is an immune reaction, not a preference.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say "I am allergic to peanuts" in Korean?
Show a sample answer
저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. (jeoneun ttangkong allereugi-ga isseoyo.)
This uses the standard 알레르기가 있어요 pattern. You could also say 저는 땅콩에 알레르기가 있어요, which is equally correct.
2Ask whether a dish contains peanuts.
Show a sample answer
이 음식에 땅콩이 들어 있어요? (i eumsik-e ttangkong-i deureo isseoyo?)
This question uses 들어 있어요, meaning "is contained." You can replace 이 음식 with other nouns, such as 이 소스 (i soseu, "this sauce").
3Explain in English why "peanut allergy" is not the same as "gluten-free."
Show a sample answer
A peanut allergy is an immune reaction that can be dangerous, while gluten-free describes a food choice or dietary need.
The key difference is medical reaction versus dietary preference. In Korean, use 알레르기가 있어요 for the allergy and 글루텐 프리 for gluten-free.
To state a peanut allergy in Korean, use 저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. Ask about ingredients with 땅콩이 들어 있어요? and remember that this is a medical reaction, not a dietary preference like gluten-free.
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