Travelling with a gluten-free diet doesn’t have to mean living on apples and bottled water. With the right phrases in your back pocket, you can enjoy local cuisine without the worry. Whether you’re ordering at a gluten-free restaurant in Rome or navigating street food in Bangkok, knowing how to communicate your dietary needs is essential.
This guide gives you the exact phrases you need in 20 languages. We’ve kept them simple and effective, so you can confidently explain your gluten-free requirements anywhere in the world.
European Languages
French
“Je suis cœliaque. Je ne peux pas manger de gluten.”
(I am coeliac. I cannot eat gluten.)
Spanish
“Soy celíaco. No puedo comer gluten.”
(I am coeliac. I cannot eat gluten.)
Italian
“Sono celiaco. Non posso mangiare glutine.”
(I am coeliac. I cannot eat gluten.)
German
“Ich bin Zöliakie-Patient. Ich kann kein Gluten essen.”
(I am a coeliac patient. I cannot eat gluten.)
Portuguese
“Sou celíaco. Não posso comer glúten.”
(I am coeliac. I cannot eat gluten.)
Dutch
“Ik ben coeliakie-patiënt. Ik kan geen gluten eten.”
(I am a coeliac patient. I cannot eat gluten.)
Polish
“Mam celiakię. Nie mogę jeść glutenu.”
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Greek
“Έχω κοιλιοκάκη. Δεν μπορώ να φάω γλουτένη.”
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Asian Languages
Mandarin Chinese
“我有乳糜泻。我不能吃麸质。”
(Wǒ yǒu rǔmíxiè. Wǒ bùnéng chī fūzhì.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Japanese
“私はセリアック病です。グルテンを食べることができません。”
(Watashi wa serīakku-byō desu. Guruten o taberu koto ga dekimasen.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Korean
“저는 셀리악병이 있습니다. 글루텐을 먹을 수 없습니다.”
(Jeoneun selliakbyeongi itsseumnida. Geulluteneul meogeul su eopseumnida.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Thai
“ฉันเป็นโรคซีเลียค ฉันกินกลูเตนไม่ได้”
(Chǎn pen rôok sii-liiak. Chǎn gin gluu-dten mâi dâai.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Vietnamese
“Tôi bị bệnh celiac. Tôi không thể ăn gluten.”
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Other Languages
Arabic
“لدي مرض الاضطرابات الهضمية. لا أستطيع أن آكل الغلوتين.”
(Ladaya marad al-idtirabat al-hadmiya. La astatee an akol al-ghluten.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Russian
“У меня целиакия. Я не могу есть глютен.”
(U menya tseliakiya. Ya ne mogu yest’ glyuten.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Hebrew
“יש לי צליאק. אני לא יכול לאכול גלוטן.”
(Yesh li tzeliak. Ani lo yakhol le’ekhol gluten.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Hindi
“मुझे सीलिएक रोग है। मैं ग्लूटन नहीं खा सकता।”
(Mujhe celiac rog hai. Main gluten nahin kha sakta.)
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Turkish
“Çölyak hastasıyım. Gluten yiyemem.”
(I am a coeliac patient. I cannot eat gluten.)
Swedish
“Jag har celiaki. Jag kan inte äta gluten.”
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Norwegian
“Jeg har cøliaki. Jeg kan ikke spise gluten.”
(I have coeliac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)
Tips for Gluten-Free Travel Success
Write it down: Copy the phrase for your destination onto your phone or a piece of paper. Showing the text can help when pronunciation is tricky.
Learn the key words: In most languages, “gluten” sounds similar to the English word. Focus on learning “I cannot eat” in the local language.
Research ahead: Many countries have gluten-free restaurant apps or websites. Download them before you travel.
Pack backup snacks: Always carry gluten-free snacks for emergencies. Airport food and remote locations can be challenging.
Use translation apps: Apps like Google Translate can help with more complex conversations about ingredients.
Your Gluten-Free Adventure Awaits
Armed with these phrases, you’re ready to explore the world without compromising your health or missing out on amazing food experiences. Remember, most restaurant staff want to help once they understand your needs.
Don’t let gluten-free travel worries hold you back. With a bit of preparation and the right words, you can enjoy incredible meals from Paris bistros to Tokyo ramen shops. The world is full of naturally gluten-free cuisines just waiting to be discovered.
