过敏 (guòmǐn) — allergy; to be allergic

过敏 (guòmǐn)

过敏 describes an allergic reaction or the state of being allergic to something. It is commonly used in medical consultations and everyday health conversations.

Meanings

1. [noun] allergy; an allergic condition
2. [verb] to be allergic; to have an allergic reaction

Example Sentences

我对花粉过敏，每年春天都很难受。 Wǒ duì huāfěn guòmǐn, měi nián chūntiān dōu hěn nánshòu. I am allergic to pollen, and every spring is very uncomfortable for me.

他吃了海鲜之后出现了过敏反应。 Tā chī le hǎixiān zhīhòu chūxiàn le guòmǐn fǎnyìng. He had an allergic reaction after eating seafood.

去看医生之前，告诉他你对哪些药过敏。 Qù kàn yīshēng zhīqián, gàosù tā nǐ duì nǎxiē yào guòmǐn. Before seeing the doctor, tell him which medicines you are allergic to.

皮肤过敏的时候不要抓，要去看皮肤科。 Pífū guòmǐn de shíhòu bùyào zhuā, yào qù kàn pífū kē. When you have a skin allergy, don't scratch — go see a dermatologist.

Collocations

Usage Notes

过敏 is used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it takes the pattern 对...过敏 (duì...guòmǐn), meaning "to be allergic to something." For example: 我对青霉素过敏 (I am allergic to penicillin). As a noun, it often appears in compounds like 过敏反应 (allergic reaction) and 过敏症状 (allergy symptoms). 过 here means "excessively" and 敏 means "sensitive."

Memory Hook

过 (excessively) + 敏 (sensitive) — an allergy is simply being "excessively sensitive" to something harmless.