저는 채식주의자예요
jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo
The English phrase "I am vegetarian" is translated into Korean as 저는 채식주의자예요 (jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo).
This phrase is used to inform others that you do not eat meat. While 저는 채식주의자예요 identifies your identity as a vegetarian, you might also hear or use 채식해요 to mean "I eat a vegetarian diet."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal situations, such as speaking with friends or people younger than you, you can use 나 채식주의자야.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending –예요 is used in the phrase 채식주의자예요 because the noun 채식주의자 ends in a vowel.
How do you pronounce it?
jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, saying 저는 채식주의자예요 may not prevent fish sauce or shrimp paste from being added to your food, as some traditional perspectives view 'meat' only as land animals.
- Many Koreans associate vegetarianism with 사찰 음식, or temple food, which is a specialized culinary tradition from Buddhist monasteries that forbids the 'five pungent spices'.
- In modern Korean slang, the English word 'vegan' is often used as a loanword 비건 because it specifically excludes dairy and honey, which 채식주의자 does not always do.
Examples in context
- 저는 채식주의자입니다.I am a vegetarian.
- 저는 채식을 합니다.I practice vegetarianism.
- 저는 육식을 하지 않습니다.I do not eat meat.
- 나는 고기 안 먹어.I don't eat meat.
- 저는 채식주의자인데, 고기와 어류도 먹지 않습니다.I am a vegetarian, and I also don't eat meat or seafood.
- 저는 채식주의자예요, 그래서 고기를 안 먹어요.jeoneun chaesikjuuijaeyeyo, geuraeseo gogireul an meogeoyo.I am a vegetarian, so I don't eat meat.
- 말씀드린 대로 저는 채식주의자예요.malsseumdeurin daero jeoneun chaesikjuuijaeyeyo.As I mentioned, I am a vegetarian.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Subin explains her dietary preference to Jihun.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 저는 채식주의자예요.jihun ssi, jeoneun chaesikjuuijaeyeyo.Jihun, I am a vegetarian.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아, 정말요? 메뉴를 다시 확인해 볼게요.a, jeongmallyo? menyureul dasi hwaginhae bolgeyo.Oh, really? I will check the menu again.
- 수빈 Su-bin고기가 없는 메뉴가 있을까요?gogiga eomneun menyuga isseulkkayo?Would there be any menus without meat?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 채소 비빔밥이 아주 맛있어요.ne, chaeso bibimbabi aju masisseoyo.Yes, the vegetable bibimbap is very delicious.
