Spanish for Asking About Specific Ingredients: "Does This Have Garlic?"
Learn to ask if a dish contains a particular ingredient in Spanish, using 'llevar' and 'tener', and understand the answer.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out or shop in a Spanish-speaking place, you may need to know if a specific ingredient is in a dish. This lesson teaches you to ask about one ingredient at a time, such as garlic, onions, or nuts, and to understand the reply. You will use two common verbs: 'llevar' (to have as an ingredient) and 'tener' (to have). Both work, but 'llevar' is very common for food. You will also learn to ask about removing an ingredient and to check for hidden ingredients like lard or broth. The focus is on clear, polite questions and simple answers.
By the end, you can…
- ask if a specific ingredient is in a dish using '¿Lleva...?' or '¿Tiene...?'.
- understand a yes/no answer and ask a follow-up about removing the ingredient.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Este plato lleva ajo?
Does this dish have garlic?
ehs-teh PLAH-toh YEH-vah AH-hoh
Use 'llevar' for ingredients in a dish. 'Este plato' means 'this dish'. You can replace 'ajo' with any ingredient.
¿Tiene cebolla?
Does it have onion?
TYEH-neh seh-BOH-yah
'Tener' also works for ingredients. This is a short, direct question. The subject 'it' is understood.
Sí, lleva ajo.
Yes, it has garlic.
see YEH-vah AH-hoh
A simple affirmative answer. You can also say 'Sí, tiene ajo.'
No, no lleva ajo.
No, it doesn't have garlic.
noh noh YEH-vah AH-hoh
The double negative 'no... no' is normal in Spanish. The first 'no' means 'no', the second 'no' means 'not'.
¿Puede quitarlo?
Can you remove it?
PWEH-deh kee-TAR-loh
Use this to ask if an ingredient can be left out. 'Lo' refers to the ingredient. For a feminine ingredient, use 'quitarla'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about a specific ingredient, use '¿Lleva + [ingredient]?' or '¿Tiene + [ingredient]?'. For example: '¿Lleva ajo?' (Does it have garlic?), '¿Tiene nueces?' (Does it have nuts?). The verb agrees with the dish, not the ingredient. So you say '¿El plato lleva ajo?' (The dish has garlic?), not '¿El plato llevan ajo?'. If you want to ask about a drink, use 'llevar' too: '¿El jugo lleva azúcar?' (Does the juice have sugar?).
When to use it
Use these questions when you need to avoid a specific ingredient due to allergies, dietary restrictions, or preferences. For example, if you are allergic to garlic, ask '¿Lleva ajo?' before ordering. If the answer is yes, you can ask '¿Puede quitarlo?' (Can you remove it?). In some regions, 'llevar' is more common for dishes, while 'tener' is more general. Both are understood. For packaged food, you might ask '¿Tiene ajo?' while reading the label. If you are unsure, you can also ask '¿Qué ingredientes tiene?' (What ingredients does it have?) but that is broader.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas, ¿este plato lleva ajo?
Hi, does this dish have garlic?BWEH-nahs ehs-teh PLAH-toh YEH-vah AH-hohSí, lleva ajo. ¿Es alérgico?
Yes, it has garlic. Are you allergic?see YEH-vah AH-hoh ehs ah-LEHR-hee-kohSí, soy alérgico. ¿Puede quitarlo?
Yes, I'm allergic. Can you remove it?see soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh PWEH-deh kee-TAR-lohClaro, lo preparo sin ajo.
Of course, I'll prepare it without garlic.KLAH-roh loh preh-PAH-roh seen AH-hohA little context goes a long way
In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is common and polite to ask about ingredients. If you have a serious allergy, state it clearly: 'Soy alérgico/a a...' (I'm allergic to...). In some places, 'llevar' is more common for dishes, while 'tener' is used for packaged goods. In Mexico and Central America, 'llevar' is very frequent. In Argentina and Uruguay, you might hear 'tener' more. Both are correct. Also, note that in 'ajo', the letter 'j' is pronounced like a strong English 'h' sound, and the 'a' and 'o' are open and clear. If you are in a region where a local word for garlic is used instead, you can ask '¿Tiene ajo?' and they will usually understand.
One thing to watch for
Using '¿Tiene ajo?' when you mean 'Does it have garlic?' but conjugating the verb wrong, like '¿Tienen ajo?' for a singular dish.
Try this instead: For a singular dish, use 'tiene': '¿El plato tiene ajo?' (Does the dish have garlic?). 'Tienen' is for plural: '¿Los platos tienen ajo?' (Do the dishes have garlic?). Also, remember that 'llevar' is often more natural for dishes: '¿El plato lleva ajo?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask if a dish has onion?
Show a sample answer
¿Este plato lleva cebolla?
This uses 'llevar' with 'cebolla'. You could also say '¿Tiene cebolla?' Both are correct.
2What does 'No, no lleva ajo' mean?
Show a sample answer
No, it doesn't have garlic.
The double negative is standard in Spanish. The first 'no' answers the question, the second 'no' negates the verb.
3How would you ask if they can remove the ingredient?
Show a sample answer
¿Puede quitarlo?
This is a polite request. If the ingredient is feminine, use 'quitarla', e.g., '¿Puede quitarla?' for 'cebolla'.
To ask about a specific ingredient, use '¿Lleva...?' or '¿Tiene...?' with the ingredient. Understand 'Sí, lleva...' or 'No, no lleva...'. To ask to remove it, say '¿Puede quitarlo/la?' Always state allergies clearly.
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