Dietary & Allergies

1. Jestem wegetarianinem.

   I am vegetarian.

   Usage

   Declares vegetarianism; women say "wegetarianką"

   Grammar Note

   "jestem + instrumental" expresses identity

2. Jestem weganinem. Nie jem żadnych produktów odzwierzęcych.

   I'm vegan. I don't eat any animal products.

   Usage

   Avoids all animal-derived foods; women say "weganką"

   Grammar Note

   "żadnych" emphatic negation; takes genitive

3. Mam alergię na orzechy.

   I have a nut allergy.

   Usage

   Tree-nut allergy

   Grammar Note

   "mam alergię na + accusative" is the standard pattern

4. Czy macie menu bezglutenowe?

   Do you have a gluten-free menu?

   Usage

   Standard celiac question

   Grammar Note

   "Czy" introduces yes/no questions; "macie" addresses staff

5. Jestem muzułmaninem i nie jem wieprzowiny.

   I'm Muslim and don't eat pork.

   Usage

   Declares Muslim observance

   Grammar Note

   Direct objects take genitive after negation

6. Mam nietolerancję laktozy.

   I am lactose intolerant.

   Usage

   Declares lactose intolerance

   Grammar Note

   Distinct from an allergy

7. Mam alergię na skorupiaki.

   I'm allergic to shellfish.

   Usage

   Shellfish allergy; often severe

   Grammar Note

   "mięczaki" (mollusks) are separate

8. Jakie składniki są w tym daniu?

   What ingredients are in this dish?

   Usage

   Standard ingredient-check question

   Grammar Note

   "w tym + locative" = "in this ~"

9. Czy mogą państwo przygotować to bez cebuli?

   Can you prepare it without onion?

   Usage

   Polite request to omit an ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "państwo" is the most formal address for staff

10. Mam alergię na jajka.

    I have an egg allergy.

    Usage

    Watch for hidden eggs

    Grammar Note

    "jajka" is plural accusative

11. Czy macie informacje o alergenach?

    Do you have allergen information?

    Usage

    Mandatory in EU restaurants

    Grammar Note

    Mandated by EU 1169/2011

12. Ta alergia zagraża życiu. Proszę zachować dużą ostrożność.

    This allergy is life-threatening. Please be very careful.

    Usage

    Communicates anaphylaxis risk

    Grammar Note

    "zagrażać + dative" = "to threaten ~"

13. Czy to zawiera olej arachidowy?

    Does this contain peanut oil?

    Usage

    Important at Asian restaurants

    Grammar Note

    "olej + adjective" specifies oil type

14. Czy używają państwo oddzielnych narzędzi do dań bez alergenów?

    Do you use separate tools for allergen-free dishes?

    Usage

    Checks cross-contamination

    Grammar Note

    "zanieczyszczenie krzyżowe" is the technical term

15. Dziękuję za uwzględnienie moich wymagań żywieniowych.

    Thank you for accommodating my dietary requirements.

    Usage

    Polite gratitude

    Grammar Note

    "za + accusative" = "for ~"

16. Ze względów religijnych nie jem wołowiny.

    For religious reasons I don't eat beef.

    Usage

    Explains religious avoidance of beef

    Grammar Note

    "ze względów + gen. pl." = "for ~ reasons"

17. Wieprzowina

    Pork

    Usage

    Point to this to check whether a dish contains pork — very common in Polish cooking

    Grammar Note

    Lard is a separate word, "smalec"; it is also used in stocks, so check for it too

18. Wołowina

    Beef

    Usage

    Point to this to check whether a dish contains beef

19. Kurczak

    Chicken

    Usage

    Point to this to check whether a dish contains chicken; "drób" covers poultry in general

20. Ryba

    Fish

    Usage

    Point to this to check whether a dish contains fish; pickled herring ("śledź") is a common starter

21. Jajko

    Egg

    Usage

    Point to this to check whether a dish contains egg; the plural is "jajka"

22. Nabiał

    Dairy products

    Usage

    Covers dairy as a whole; milk itself is "mleko" and soured cream is "śmietana"

    Grammar Note

    Polish cooking uses "śmietana" heavily, so check that word too when avoiding dairy

23. Orzeszki ziemne

    Peanuts

    Usage

    Point to this for a peanut allergy; distinct from tree nuts, which are "orzechy"

    Grammar Note

    Normally used in the plural; peanut oil is "olej arachidowy"

24. Orzechy

    Nuts

    Usage

    Covers tree nuts; walnuts are "orzechy włoskie" and hazelnuts "orzechy laskowe"

25. Skorupiaki

    Crustaceans

    Usage

    Point to this for a shrimp or crab allergy; bivalves ("małże") and other molluscs ("mięczaki") are separate

26. Pszenica

    Wheat

    Usage

    Point to this for a wheat allergy; gluten is "gluten" and wheat flour is "mąka pszenna"

27. Soja

    Soy

    Usage

    Point to this for a soy allergy; soy sauce is "sos sojowy"

28. Sezam

    Sesame

    Usage

    Point to this for a sesame allergy; often sprinkled on bread and bagels

29. Alkohol

    Alcohol

    Usage

    Point to this when avoiding alcohol for religious or health reasons; it can hide in sauces and desserts

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