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PhrasesDietary RestrictionsSono allergico/allergica alla frutta secca.
A2

Sono allergico/allergica alla frutta secca.

I am allergic to tree nuts.

Pronunciation

FROOT-tah SEHK-kah — stress first syllable of each word. Double 'cc' in secco holds a fraction longer.

When to use it

Use as a broad statement covering all tree nuts when you have a general nut allergy. Follow up with specific nut names if needed.

What it means

'Frutta secca' literally means 'dry fruit' and in Italian refers to nuts (tree nuts), not dried fruits. Dried fruits are 'frutta essiccata' or 'frutta disidratata'. This distinction is important to clarify when communicating allergies.

Variations

Sono allergico alle noci, mandorle e nocciole.

I'm allergic to walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.

Listing specific nuts for clarity.

Il pesto contiene frutta secca?

Does the pesto contain nuts?

Pesto traditionally uses pine nuts (pinoli), which are seeds.

I pinoli sono frutta secca?

Are pine nuts tree nuts?

Pine nuts are seeds but may trigger nut allergies — always check.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Sono allergico alla frutta secca. Il pesto contiene noci? Cameriere: Il pesto tradizionale usa pinoli. Tecnicamente sono semi, ma li considera pericolosi? Cliente: Sì, è meglio evitare tutto. Posso avere la pasta al pomodoro? Cameriere: Certamente.

Client: I'm allergic to tree nuts. Does the pesto contain nuts? Waiter: Traditional pesto uses pine nuts. Technically they're seeds, but do you consider them dangerous? Client: Yes, it's better to avoid everything. Can I have tomato pasta? Waiter: Certainly.

Cultural Note

Ligurian pesto uses pinoli (pine nuts), which are technically seeds but can cross-react with tree nut allergies. Walnut-based pesto (pesto di noci) from Liguria is another regional specialty — always verify what type of nut is used.