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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing an allergic reaction with 过敏 (guòmǐn)

    Description & Modification
    Existence & Possession

    Structure

    Subject + 对 + Allergen + 过敏

    Explanation

    过敏 (guòmǐn) means "to be allergic" or "allergy" and can function as both a verb and a noun in Chinese. As a verb, it describes having an allergic reaction, as in 他对花粉过敏 (he is allergic to pollen). As a noun, it can be modified to form compounds like 过敏症状 (allergy symptoms).

    Examples

    • 她对海鲜过敏,所以从来不吃虾和螃蟹。

      tā duì hǎixiān guòmǐn, suǒyǐ cónglái bù chī xiā hé pángxiè.

      She is allergic to seafood, so she never eats shrimp or crab.

    • 每到春天他就过敏,眼睛又红又痒。

      měi dào chūntiān tā jiù guòmǐn, yǎnjing yòu hóng yòu yǎng.

      Every spring he gets allergies, and his eyes become red and itchy.

    • 你最好先试一下,看看皮肤会不会过敏。

      nǐ zuìhǎo xiān shì yīxià, kànkan pífū huì bu huì guòmǐn.

      You'd better try it first to see if your skin will have an allergic reaction.