guòmǐn: 过敏 - Allergy, Allergic, To have an allergy

• Keywords: 过敏, guomin, Chinese for allergy, food allergy in China, allergic reaction in Chinese, hay fever in Chinese, guo min, 对…过敏, how to say I'm allergic in Chinese, travel in China with allergies.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 过敏 (guòmǐn), which means “allergy” or “to be allergic.” This page is a complete guide for anyone needing to discuss allergies in China, whether you're dealing with food allergies at a restaurant, hay fever (pollen allergy), or a skin reaction. We'll cover how to say “I'm allergic to…” in Chinese, understand the cultural context of allergies in China, and provide practical example sentences to keep you safe and healthy.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guòmǐn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be allergic to something; an allergy.
• In a Nutshell: `过敏` is the direct, medical term for a physical allergic reaction. Think of it as your body's defense system going into overdrive. It's not used metaphorically like in English (e.g., “I'm allergic to homework”). If your body overreacts to pollen, peanuts, or dust, `过敏` is the word you need.

• 过 (guò): This character's primary meaning is “to pass” or “to cross.” However, it also carries the meaning of “excessively” or “too much,” which is the key sense here.
• 敏 (mǐn): This character means “sensitive,” “quick,” or “agile.”

When combined, `过敏 (guòmǐn)` literally translates to “excessively sensitive.” This paints a perfect picture of what an allergy is: the body being overly sensitive to a substance that is normally harmless.

`过敏` is a purely medical and scientific term, so its cultural significance lies in modern health awareness rather than ancient philosophy.

• Growing Awareness: While allergies have always existed, widespread public awareness and discussion about them are relatively recent in China compared to many Western countries. With urbanization, dietary changes, and increased exposure to new environmental factors, consciousness about food allergies, hay fever, and other sensitivities is rapidly growing.
• Comparison to the West: In countries like the US or UK, it's common to see extensive allergy menus, “nut-free zone” signs in schools, and detailed ingredient labels. In China, while major cities are catching up, this level of proactive allergy infrastructure is not yet universal. Therefore, it's crucial for individuals with severe allergies to be proactive and learn how to communicate their needs clearly. You cannot always assume a restaurant menu will list every potential allergen.
• Social Etiquette: It is considered polite and responsible to inform a host about any food allergies if you are invited to their home for a meal. As awareness grows, more hosts will proactively ask their guests if they have any dietary restrictions (`忌口 jīkǒu`) or `过敏`.

`过敏` is a high-frequency, practical word used in various everyday situations. It's neutral in connotation and can be used in both formal (at a hospital) and informal (with friends) settings.

• In Restaurants: The most critical use for many learners. The structure is 我对 + [Allergen] + 过敏 (Wǒ duì + [Allergen] + guòmǐn).
• At the Doctor's or Pharmacy: You can describe your symptoms and state, “我好像过敏了 (Wǒ hǎoxiàng guòmǐn le),” meaning “I think I'm having an allergic reaction.”
• Describing Symptoms: It's often followed by a description of the symptoms, such as `打喷嚏 (dǎ pēntì - sneezing)`, `痒 (yǎng - itchy)`, or `起红点 (qǐ hóngdiǎn - getting red spots)`.
• As an Adjective: It can describe a condition, like in `过敏性鼻炎 (guòmǐn xìng bíyán - allergic rhinitis)` or `过敏反应 (guòmǐn fǎnyìng - allergic reaction)`.

• Example 1:
  • 我对花生过敏，一点儿都不能吃。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn, yīdiǎnr dōu bùnéng chī.
  • English: I am allergic to peanuts, I can't eat even a little bit.
  • Analysis: This showcases the essential `对…过敏` structure. `一点儿都不能 (yīdiǎnr dōu bùnéng)` is a strong way to emphasize “not even a little.”
• Example 2:
  • 你有什么过敏史吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shéme guòmǐn shǐ ma?
  • English: Do you have any history of allergies?
  • Analysis: A very common and formal question a doctor would ask. `史 (shǐ)` means “history.”
• Example 3:
  • 吃了海鲜以后，我的皮肤开始过敏了，非常痒。
  • Pinyin: Chīle hǎixiān yǐhòu, wǒ de pífū kāishǐ guòmǐn le, fēicháng yǎng.
  • English: After eating seafood, my skin started having an allergic reaction, it's very itchy.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the cause (seafood), the reaction (`过敏`), and the symptom (`痒 - yǎng`).
• Example 4:
  • 春天是花粉过敏的高发季节。
  • Pinyin: Chūntiān shì huāfěn guòmǐn de gāofā jìjié.
  • English: Spring is the peak season for pollen allergies.
  • Analysis: `花粉过敏 (huāfěn guòmǐn)` is the specific term for pollen allergy/hay fever. `高发季节 (gāofā jìjié)` means “high-incidence season.”
• Example 5:
  • 这瓶药是抗过敏的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè píng yào shì kàng guòmǐn de.
  • English: This bottle of medicine is for anti-allergy.
  • Analysis: `抗 (kàng)` means “to resist” or “anti-”. This is how you'd describe antihistamines or other allergy medication.
• Example 6:
  • 我的儿子对猫毛过敏，一靠近猫就打喷嚏。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de érzi duì māomáo guòmǐn, yī kàojìn māo jiù dǎ pēntì.
  • English: My son is allergic to cat fur; as soon as he gets near a cat, he sneezes.
  • Analysis: Uses the `一…就… (yī…jiù…)` structure to show an immediate cause-and-effect relationship. `猫毛 (māomáo)` is “cat fur.”
• Example 7:
  • 请问这道菜里有牛奶吗？我女儿对牛奶过敏。
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu niúnǎi ma? Wǒ nǚ'ér duì niúnǎi guòmǐn.
  • English: Excuse me, is there milk in this dish? My daughter is allergic to milk.
  • Analysis: A crucial, polite sentence for dining out. `请问 (qǐngwèn)` is the standard polite way to start a question.
• Example 8:
  • 这是一种典型的过敏反应。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī zhǒng diǎnxíng de guòmǐn fǎnyìng.
  • English: This is a typical allergic reaction.
  • Analysis: Here, `过敏` functions as an adjective modifying `反应 (fǎnyìng - reaction)`.
• Example 9:
  • 换了新的化妆品后，我的脸就过敏了，长了很多红点。
  • Pinyin: Huànle xīn de huàzhuāngpǐn hòu, wǒ de liǎn jiù guòmǐn le, zhǎngle hěnduō hóngdiǎn.
  • English: After I switched to a new cosmetic product, my face had an allergic reaction and developed many red spots.
  • Analysis: Shows a real-life scenario. `化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn)` is “cosmetics,” and `长 (zhǎng)` here means “to grow” or “to develop” spots.
• Example 10:
  • 医生建议我去做一个过敏原测试。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ qù zuò yīgè guòmǐnyuán cèshì.
  • English: The doctor recommended I go get an allergen test.
  • Analysis: `过敏原 (guòmǐnyuán)` means “allergen” (literally “allergy source”). `测试 (cèshì)` means “test.”

• Strictly Medical: The biggest mistake for English speakers is using `过敏` metaphorically. In English, you can say “I'm allergic to mornings” or “He's allergic to hard work.” This is incorrect in Chinese. `过敏` is reserved exclusively for physical, medical allergic reactions.
  • Incorrect: 我对星期一过敏。(Wǒ duì xīngqīyī guòmǐn.)
  • Correct: 我特别讨厌星期一。(Wǒ tèbié tǎoyàn xīngqīyī.) - I really hate Mondays.
  • Correct: 我受不了他了。(Wǒ shòubuliǎo tā le.) - I can't stand him.
• The `对 (duì)` Preposition: The structure for stating an allergy is fixed: 对 + [Allergen] + 过敏. Other prepositions are incorrect. Always use `对`.
  • Incorrect: 我从花生过敏。(Wǒ cóng huāshēng guòmǐn.)
  • Correct: 我对花生过敏。(Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.)

• 敏感 (mǐngǎn) - Sensitive. This is the root of `过敏`. It can refer to sensitive skin (`敏感皮肤`), but also sensitive topics or a sensitive person. `过敏` is a specific medical result of being `敏感`.
• 过敏反应 (guòmǐn fǎnyìng) - Allergic reaction. A more formal and specific term for the event of having a reaction.
• 过敏原 (guòmǐnyuán) - Allergen. The substance that causes the allergy.
• 花粉症 (huāfěnzhèng) - Hay fever / Pollen allergy. The specific name for this common seasonal allergy.
• 哮喘 (xiàochuǎn) - Asthma. A respiratory condition often linked to or triggered by allergies.
• 痒 (yǎng) - Itchy. A very common symptom of an allergic reaction.
• 打喷嚏 (dǎ pēntì) - To sneeze. Another classic symptom, especially for airborne allergens.
• 忌口 (jìkǒu) - Dietary restrictions; to avoid certain foods. This is a broader concept that includes allergies, but also religious restrictions, health choices, or avoiding foods when sick.
• 食物中毒 (shíwù zhòngdú) - Food poisoning. It's important to distinguish this from a food allergy, as the cause and treatment are different.
• 抗组胺药 (kàng zǔ'ān yào) - Antihistamine. The specific medical term for a common type of anti-allergy drug.