Text conversation
Telling your host family about food allergies, in French
Before your stay, message your French host family about allergies, vegetarian meals and what you love eating, without sounding demanding.
- A2
- 3 replies to choose
- Phone-style thread
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
Be clear about real allergies: Je suis allergique aux arachides (peanuts), même en petite quantité. For preferences, be lighter: Je ne mange pas de viande, mais je mange du poisson. Thank them and show enthusiasm: J'ai hâte de goûter la cuisine française !
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- Bonjour ! On a hâte de vous accueillir. Il y a des choses que vous ne mangez pas ?Hello! We're looking forward to welcoming you. Is there anything you don't eat?
Mention the allergy clearly
- D'accord, c'est noté. Vous avez un traitement en cas de réaction ?OK, noted. Do you have treatment in case of a reaction?
Explain the treatment
- Très bien. Et sinon, vous aimez quoi ?Very good. Otherwise, what do you like?
Show enthusiasm
Phrases from the conversation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| être allergique à | to be allergic to |
| les fruits à coque | tree nuts |
| les arachides / cacahuètes | peanuts |
| même en petite quantité | even in small amounts |
| un stylo d'adrénaline | an adrenaline pen |
| Je mange de tout. | I eat everything. |
In France, the 14 major allergens must be indicated in restaurants and on packaging, but home cooking has no labels, so say it early. Sans gluten, sans lactose and végétarien are well understood; végétalien or vegan means no animal products at all. Keep vous until the family suggests tu.
- Je suis allergique de noix.Je suis allergique aux noix.
Allergique à.
- Je suis végétarien, donc pas de poisson ?Je suis végétarien, je ne mange ni viande ni poisson.
Say exactly what you mean: some people eat fish.