vegetariano
/ve.ʒe.ta.ɾiˈɐ̃.nu/masculine
The Portuguese word for vegetarian is vegetariano.
The term vegetariano is used to describe a person who does not eat any animal flesh. It can also function as an adjective to describe things relating to a vegetarian diet.
Meaning: person who does not eat any animal flesh (noun)
Which one should you use?
While vegetariano refers to someone who avoids meat, it is distinct from vegano, which refers to a person who avoids all animal products, including dairy and eggs.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, vegetariano is more commonly used in both vegetarian and vegan contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. Men should use vegetariano and women should use vegetariana to describe themselves. The masculine plural form is vegetarianos and the feminine plural form is vegetarianas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 5th syllable: /ve.ʒe.ta.ɾiˈɐ̃.nu/.
Did you know?
- In some Portuguese contexts, the word vegetal is used to describe plant-based ingredients, but calling a person a vegetal means they are in a vegetative state.
- The word vegetariano shares its root with vegetar, which in a poetic or older sense means to live a quiet and secluded life.
- In Brazil, a person who avoids meat but still eats fish is often called a pescetariano, a term that is less commonly used in Portugal.
Examples in context
- O Tom é vegetariano?Is Tom a vegetarian?This sentence is useful for asking if Tom is a vegetarian using vegetariano.Tatoeba #4981565 by bill, translation #3738215 by CK
- Você não é vegetariano?Aren't you a vegetarian?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a vegetarian using vegetariano.Tatoeba #8533707 by bill, translation #6093969 by CK
- É difícil ser vegetariano?Is it hard to be a vegetarian?This sentence is useful for asking if it is difficult to be a vegetarian using vegetariano.Tatoeba #3527367 by carlosalberto, translation #3527297 by adamtrousers
- Eu sou vegetariana, mas como ovos e laticínios.I am a vegetarian, but I eat eggs and dairy products
- Não como carne, frango ou peixe.I don't eat meat, chicken, or fish
- Prefiro seguir uma dieta vegetariana devido a preocupações com o meio ambiente e bem-estar dos animais.I prefer to follow a vegetarian diet due to environmental concerns and animal welfare.
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Juliana asks Rodrigo about his diet.
- JulianaVocê é vegetariano?Are you vegetarian?
- RodrigoSim, eu sou vegetariano.Yes, I am vegetarian.
- JulianaEu não sabia que o Rodrigo era vegetariano.I didn't know Rodrigo was vegetarian.
- RodrigoÉ uma escolha saudável.It is a healthy choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vegetarian” translations and entries vegetariano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
