If you are learning Chinese, one of the first practical words you need is how to say allergy in Chinese. The word is 过敏 (guò mǐn), and it comes up constantly in daily life, from ordering food at a restaurant to visiting a doctor in China. I have spent twelve years in Tianjin, passed the HSK5 exam, and hold a background in Intercultural Studies, so I have heard this word in every context imaginable. In this guide, I will show you how to use 过敏 naturally, plus related vocabulary and phrases you will actually need.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The standard word for allergy in Chinese is 过敏 (guò mǐn).
- To say you are allergic to something, use 对……过敏 (duì … guò mǐn).
- 花粉过敏 (huā fěn guò mǐn) means pollen allergy or hay fever.
- 食物过敏 (shí wù guò mǐn) means food allergy.
- Allergies are increasingly common in Chinese cities, especially seasonal pollen allergies in spring.
Core Ways to Say Allergy in Chinese
Allergy – 过敏 (guò mǐn)
This is the general word for any kind of allergy. The two characters literally mean exceedingly sensitive. You will hear it constantly in hospitals, pharmacies, and restaurants when people are asking about allergies or medicine.
Example:
- 我有过敏。
- Pinyin: Wǒ yǒu guò mǐn.
- English: I have allergies.
To Be Allergic To Something – 对……过敏 (duì … guò mǐn)
This pattern is the most useful structure for everyday conversation. Put the allergen after 对 (duì, to / toward) and before 过敏.
Example:
- 我对花生过敏。
- Pinyin: Wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn.
- English: I am allergic to peanuts.
Pollen Allergy – 花粉过敏 (huā fěn guò mǐn)
In spring, when cold and flu season overlaps with pollen season, this phrase becomes essential. Many Chinese cities have extensive tree-planting campaigns, and spring allergies are very common.
Example:
- 春天我有花粉过敏。
- Pinyin: Chūn tiān wǒ yǒu huā fěn guò mǐn.
- English: In spring, I have pollen allergies.
Food Allergy – 食物过敏 (shí wù guò mǐn)
When eating out, especially if you have a sensitive stomach, knowing how to declare a food allergy is critical. Chinese cuisine uses many ingredients, and cross-contamination in kitchens is common.
Example:
- 我对海鲜有食物过敏。
- Pinyin: Wǒ duì hǎi xiān yǒu shí wù guò mǐn.
- English: I have a food allergy to seafood.
Related Vocabulary
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| allergic | 过敏的 | guò mǐn de |
| allergen | 过敏原 | guò mǐn yuán |
| pollen | 花粉 | huā fěn |
| peanut | 花生 | huā shēng |
| seafood | 海鲜 | hǎi xiān |
| gluten | 麸质 | fū zhì |
| antihistamine | 抗组胺药 | kàng zǔ àn yào |
| itchy | 痒 | yǎng |
| sneeze | 打喷嚏 | dǎ pēn tì |
| runny nose | 流鼻涕 | liú bí tì |
Cultural Context: Allergies in China
Allergy awareness in China has grown significantly over the past decade, though it still lags behind Western countries. When you visit a pharmacy in China, you can find basic allergy medications, but the selection may be smaller than what you are used to. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin have international hospitals with English-speaking staff who understand Western allergy concerns.
In restaurants, awareness of food allergies is improving but not universal. Many Chinese cooks are unfamiliar with severe allergies like peanut or shellfish reactions. Always carry a note in Chinese explaining your allergy, or show a picture on your phone. When in doubt, bring your own epinephrine auto-injector if you have severe allergies.
Spring in northern China brings heavy pollen from poplar and willow trees, which the government has planted extensively for environmental reasons. If you are visiting Tianjin or Beijing in April or May, be prepared for visible pollen clouds and stock up on antihistamines. For help with severe reactions, seek medical attention immediately.
Practical Usage Examples
Here are the most common real-life situations where you will need the word 过敏.
At a Restaurant
A: 这道菜里有花生吗？
B: 有，里面放了花生酱。
A: 那我不能吃，我对花生过敏。
English:
- A: Does this dish have peanuts?
- B: Yes, it has peanut sauce in it.
- A: Then I cannot eat it. I am allergic to peanuts.
At a Pharmacy
A: 我有花粉过敏，你们有什么药？
B: 这种抗组胺药可以帮助你。你需要处方药吗？
A: 不需要，我先试试这个。
English:
- A: I have a pollen allergy. What medicine do you have?
- B: This antihistamine can help you. Do you need a prescription?
- A: No, I will try this first.
Talking About the Weather
A: 今天天气很好，可是我的眼睛很痒。
B: 你是不是有花粉过敏？
A: 是的，每年春天都这样。
English:
- A: The weather is nice today, but my eyes are very itchy.
- B: Do you have a pollen allergy?
- A: Yes, it happens every spring.
Advanced ways for how to say allergy in Chinese sentences
Once you have the basics down, here are longer, more natural sentences you can use in real conversations. These show how native speakers actually talk about allergies, not just textbook examples.
- 我对猫毛严重过敏，所以不能养猫。
- 简体字：我对猫毛严重过敏，所以不能养猫。
- 拼音：Wǒ duì māo máo yán zhòng guò mǐn, suǒ yǐ bù néng yǎng māo。
- 英文翻译：I am severely allergic to cat fur, so I cannot keep a cat.
- 我的孩子对牛奶过敏，请问你们有不含乳制品的菜吗？
- 简体字：我的孩子对牛奶过敏，请问你们有不含乳制品的菜吗？
- 拼音：Wǒ de hái zi duì niú nǎi guò mǐn, qǐng wèn nǐ men yǒu bù hán rǔ zhì pǐn de cài ma？
- 英文翻译：My child is allergic to milk. Do you have any dishes without dairy products?
- 每年四月份，我的花粉过敏都会加重，需要吃抗过敏药。
- 简体字：每年四月份，我的花粉过敏都会加重，需要吃抗过敏药。
- 拼音：Měi nián sì yuè fèn, wǒ de huā fěn guò mǐn dōu huì jiā zhòng, xū yào chī kàng guò mǐn yào。
- 英文翻译：Every April, my pollen allergy gets worse, and I need to take anti-allergy medicine.
- 医生说我得做一个过敏测试，才能确定我对什么过敏。
- 简体字：医生说我得做一个过敏测试，才能确定我对什么过敏。
- 拼音：Yī shēng shuō wǒ děi zuò yī gè guò mǐn cè shì, cái néng què dìng wǒ duì shén me guò mǐn。
- 英文翻译：The doctor says I need to do an allergy test to determine what I am allergic to.
- 如果你过敏了，最好多喝水，休息几天就会好一些。
What is the Chinese word for allergy?
The Chinese word for allergy is 过敏 (guò mǐn). It is a two-character word where 过 means “exceed” or “pass” and 敏 means “sensitive.” Together they mean “overly sensitive,” which describes an allergic reaction. You can learn more about Chinese medical vocabulary through ChineseClass101.
How do I say “I am allergic to peanuts” in Chinese?
To say “I am allergic to peanuts” in Chinese, say 我对花生过敏 (Wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn). The pattern is: 我对 [allergen] 过敏. For a reliable translation, check Cambridge Dictionary.
How common are allergies in China?
Allergies are increasingly common in China, especially in urban areas. Seasonal pollen allergies affect millions of people in northern cities like Beijing and Tianjin due to extensive tree planting. Food allergies, while less commonly diagnosed than in Western countries, are also on the rise. For more on health vocabulary, visit Preply.
Can I buy allergy medicine in Chinese pharmacies?
Yes, you can buy basic antihistamines and allergy medications in Chinese pharmacies without a prescription. However, the selection may be smaller than in Western countries. For severe allergies, it is best to bring your own medication or visit an international hospital. You can also learn useful medical phrases with Drops.
What is hay fever called in Chinese?
Hay fever is called 花粉过敏 (huā fěn guò mǐn) in Chinese, which literally means “pollen allergy.” It is the most common seasonal allergy in China, especially during spring when poplar and willow trees release pollen. If you are asking how are you to a Chinese friend in spring and they mention feeling unwell, it might be pollen allergies.
