Meaning
To have an allergic response to something.
Cultural Background
Germans are very health-conscious. It is standard to inform hosts of allergies before a dinner party. It's not seen as 'picky' but as 'responsible'. In Vienna, 'allergisch reagieren' is often used with a touch of 'Grant' (grumpiness) to describe a general dislike of modern changes. Precision is key. In Swiss German contexts, reacting allergically to 'Unpünktlichkeit' is a very common and serious sentiment. The phrase has become a 'buzzword' for identifying cultural misalignments in international teams.
The 'Auf' Rule
Always remember: Reagieren + Auf. Think of 'reacting UPON' something to remember the preposition.
Don't overdo it
If you say you 'react allergically' to everything, people will think you are very difficult or dramatic.
Meaning
To have an allergic response to something.
The 'Auf' Rule
Always remember: Reagieren + Auf. Think of 'reacting UPON' something to remember the preposition.
Don't overdo it
If you say you 'react allergically' to everything, people will think you are very difficult or dramatic.
Job Interviews
Use this phrase to describe your work ethic: 'Ich reagiere allergisch auf halbe Sachen' (I react allergically to half-finished work).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct preposition and article.
Ich reagiere allergisch ____ ____ (masculine) Staub.
'Reagieren' requires 'auf' + Akkusativ. 'Staub' is masculine, so 'den'.
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning?
Select the figurative usage:
Arrogant people are a social dislike, not a biological allergen.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Möchtest du ein Stück Pizza mit Salami? B: Nein danke, ich ______ allergisch auf Fleisch.
The phrase is 'reagieren auf'. 'Bin' would require 'allergisch gegen' or just 'allergisch'.
Match the allergen to the reaction.
Match the items:
Pollen is most common in spring.
Where would you hear this?
'Vorsicht, ich reagiere allergisch auf Wespenstiche!'
Wasps (Wespen) are found outdoors.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesIch reagiere allergisch ____ ____ (masculine) Staub.
'Reagieren' requires 'auf' + Akkusativ. 'Staub' is masculine, so 'den'.
Select the figurative usage:
Arrogant people are a social dislike, not a biological allergen.
A: Möchtest du ein Stück Pizza mit Salami? B: Nein danke, ich ______ allergisch auf Fleisch.
The phrase is 'reagieren auf'. 'Bin' would require 'allergisch gegen' or just 'allergisch'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Pollen is most common in spring.
'Vorsicht, ich reagiere allergisch auf Wespenstiche!'
Wasps (Wespen) are found outdoors.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTechnically, it's 'allergisch gegen'. However, in casual spoken German, you might hear 'allergisch auf', but it's better to stick to 'gegen' with 'sein'.
No, it's not rude, but it is strong. It shows that you have a very clear boundary.
The noun is {die|f} allergische Reaktion.
Yes, you wouldn't say you react allergically to something you like.
Related Phrases
empfindlich sein
similarto be sensitive
etwas nicht abkönnen
synonymto not be able to stand something
eine Abneigung haben
similarto have an aversion
überreagieren
builds onto overreact
