ฉันกินเจ
chan kin che
To say "I am vegetarian" in Thai, use ฉันกินเจ (chan kin che).
This phrase is used to state that you do not eat meat or animal products for religious or ethical reasons. Note that if you are a vegetarian who still consumes garlic or onions, it is more accurate to use the term related to กินมังสวิรัติ instead of กินเจ.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ฉันกินเจ literally translates to "I eat vegetarian (Jae)".
Which one should you use?
While ฉันกินเจ is the default form, there are different ways to express vegetarianism depending on your gender and the level of formality. For example, a male speaker might use ผมกินเจ to be more polite or standard.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form ฉันกินเจ is commonly used by females or in informal settings, though it can sound overly intimate or poetic in formal contexts. For a formal way for a male speaker to say "I am a person who eats vegetarian food", use ผมเป็นคนกินมังสวิรัติ. The phrase ฉันกินมังสวิรัติ is an informal way for female speakers to say "I eat vegetarian food".
How do you pronounce it?
chan kin che
Did you know?
- In Thailand, you will often see yellow flags with red text at restaurants that serve เจ food, signaling to vegetarians that the food is safe to eat.
- The word เจ is derived from the Chinese word for 'pure' or 'clean' and is deeply linked to Mahayana Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
- Someone who says กินเจ may also avoid using leather or silk products during the festival to ensure total purity of spirit.
Examples in context
- ผมเป็นคนกินมังสวิรัติครับI am a vegetarian.
- ช่วงนี้ฉันกินเจchuang ni chan kin cheI am eating vegetarian these days.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are deciding what to eat for lunch at a food court.
- วิทวัส Witthawatณิชา กินข้าวเหนียวมะม่วงไหมNicha kin khao niao mamuang maiNicha, do you want to eat mango sticky rice?
- ณิชา Nichaไม่ล่ะ ฉันอยากกินอาหารเจmai la chan yak kin a-han cheNo, I want to eat vegetarian food.
- วิทวัส Witthawatอ๋อ ฉันกินเจด้วยเหมือนกันo chan kin che duai muean kanOh, I am also a vegetarian.
- ณิชา Nichaดีเลย งั้นเราไปร้านเจใกล้ๆ กันเถอะdi loei ngan rao pai ran che klai klai kan thoeThat's great, let's go to a nearby vegetarian restaurant together.
