I am allergic to mollusks/shellfish.
mol-LUS-kee — stress on second syllable. The 'ch' before 'i' is a hard 'k' sound in Italian.
Use in seafood restaurants or coastal areas. Mollusks include clams, mussels, squid, and octopus — all common in Italian cuisine, especially in pasta sauces.
'Ai molluschi' uses 'a + i' = 'ai' (to/for the, with plural masculine). Mollusks are a recognized allergen in EU food labeling law, so menus should declare them. Cross-contamination risk is high in seafood restaurants.
Sono allergico alle vongole.
I am allergic to clams.
More specific — vongole (clams) are extremely common in Italian pasta.
Niente calamari, per favore.
No squid, please.
Simple direct request.
Il sugo contiene molluschi?
Does the sauce contain mollusks?
Important check as shellfish often appears in sauces.
Italian coastal cuisine is heavily shellfish-based. The classic 'frutti di mare' (mixed seafood) platter typically includes clams, mussels, and squid. Always ask about hidden shellfish in pasta sauces and risotto.