ອາຫານເຈ
ahan che
The Lao word for vegetarian is ອາຫານເຈ (ahan che).
In Lao, the term refers to the food itself rather than the person. To express that you are a vegetarian, you would say that you eat ອາຫານເຈ.
Meaning: person who does not eat any animal flesh (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of ອາຫານ (food) and ເຈ (pure/clean/sacred), literally meaning 'pure food'.
How do you pronounce it?
ahan che
When do people say it?
The concept of ເຈ (pure/clean) is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. A diet described as ອາຫານເຈ is free from animal products and often excludes pungent vegetables such as garlic and onions.
Did you know?
- The term ເຈ comes from the Hokkien Chinese word 'zhai', reflecting the historical influence of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism on dietary laws in Southeast Asia.
- In some regions, you might see yellow flags outside shops or homes to signal that ອາຫານເຈ is being served or that the household is observing a vegetarian period.
- In Laos, ອາຫານເຈ is often associated with specific 'festival periods' where entire communities switch to a plant-based diet for several days to gain spiritual merit.
Examples in context
- ລາວເປັນຄົນກິນອາຫານເຈ.lao pen khon kin aa-haan jay.He is a vegetarian.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- Aພວກເຮົາໄປກິນອາຫານລາວກັນເຖີດ.phuak hao pai kin a-han lao kan therdLet's go eat Lao food.
- Bແຕ່ຂ້ອຍກິນອາຫານເຈ.tae khoy kin a-han cheBut I am a vegetarian.
- Aຮ້ານນີ້ມີອາຫານເຈຫຼາຍ.han ni mi a-han che laiThis restaurant has many vegetarian options.
- Bຕົກລົງ, ໄປກັນເລີຍ.tok long, pai kan loeyAlright, let's go.
