είμαι χορτοφάγος
eímai chortofágos
The English phrase 'I am vegetarian' is expressed in Greek as είμαι χορτοφάγος (eímai chortofágos).
This phrase is used to make a statement that you do not eat meat.
What does it mean word for word?
The word χορτοφάγος is a compound of χορτο- (meaning vegetable or grass) and -φάγος (meaning eater).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word χορτοφάγος functions as either a noun or an adjective. Because of this, you do not need to include an indefinite article like 'a' between the verb and the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
eímai chortofágos
Did you know?
- Greek culture has a long history of 'religious fasting' called νηστεία, where people avoid meat and dairy for weeks. Because of this, many non-vegetarians eat 'vegetarian' meals regularly.
- The word χορτοφάγος is the same term used in biology to describe 'herbivores' in the animal kingdom. Using it for a human emphasizes the biological act of eating plants.
- While χορτοφάγος refers to vegetarians, those who avoid all animal products use the word vegan, which is adopted directly from English into Greek.
Examples in context
- Είμαι χορτοφάγος, οπότε δεν τρώω κρέας.Eímai chortofágos, opóte den tróo kréas.I am vegetarian, so I do not eat meat.
Example conversation
Eleni and Nikos are looking at a restaurant menu.
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις να παραγγείλουμε το μπιφτέκι;Thélis na parangíloume to m Biftéki?Do you want to order the burger?
- Νίκος NikosΌχι, δεν μπορώ. Είμαι χορτοφάγος.Óchi, den boró. Eímai chortofágos.No, I can't. I am vegetarian.
- Ελένη EleniΑχόρησε, Ελένη! Υπάρχει μια φανταστική σαλάτα.Achórise, Eléni! Ypárchei mia fantastikí saláta.My bad, Eleni! There is a fantastic salad.
- Νίκος NikosΤέλεια, θα πάρω τη σαλάτα τότε.Télia, tha páro ti saláta tóte.Great, I will have the salad then.
