저는 비건이에요
jeoneun bigeonieyo
To say "I am vegan" in Korean, you say 저는 비건이에요 (jeoneun bigeonieyo).
This phrase is used to state that a person does not eat or use any animal products. You can add the word 진정한 before 비건 to specify that you are a "true" or "real" vegan.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase 저는 비건이에요, 저 is the humble/polite form of "I", 는 is the topic marker and 비건이에요 means "am a/an vegan".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 비건이에요 uses the polite ending -이에요 to mean "am a/an".
How do you pronounce it?
jeoneun bigeonieyo
Did you know?
- Be careful with the term 채식 (chaesik) in a Buddhist context, as it often refers to a strict diet that excludes the 'five pungent herbs' like garlic and onions.
- Korean veganism is often linked to the Buddhist tradition of 사찰음식 or 'Temple Food', which has existed for centuries long before the modern English term 'vegan' arrived.
- A person might say they are 비건 but still find fish sauce or shrimp paste in almost every traditional dish, as these are considered 'seasoning' rather than 'meat'.
Examples in context
- 나는 진정한 비건이에요I am a true vegan.
- 유제품/난류/고기를 제외해 주세요Please exclude dairy/eggs/meat.
- 비건 식사로 주문할게요I will order a vegan meal.
- 저는 비건이에요.jeoneun bigen-ieyo.I am vegan.
- 미안하지만, 저는 비건이에요.mianhajiman, jeoneun bigen-ieyo.I am sorry, but I am vegan.
- 맞아요, 저는 비건이에요.majayo, jeoneun bigen-ieyo.That's right, I am vegan.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a waiter is asking about dietary preferences.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고기를 드실 수 있나요?gogireul deusil su innayo?Can you eat meat?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 저는 비건이에요.aniyo, jeoneun bigen-ieyo.No, I am vegan.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아, 그럼 채식 메뉴를 추천해 드릴게요.a, geureom chaesik menyureul chucheonhae deurilgeyo.Ah, then I will recommend a vegetarian menu.
- 수빈 Su-bin감사합니다.gamsahabnida.Thank you.
