素食
chia̍h-chhài
The Hokkien word for vegetarian is 素食 (chia̍h-chhài).
It can function as both a noun (vegetarian food) and a verb phrase (to eat vegetarian).
Meaning: person who does not eat any animal flesh (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the verb 'chia̍h' (to eat) and the noun 'chhài' (vegetables/greens).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer specifically to the person (the vegetarian) rather than the act of eating vegetarian food, you add 'lâng' (person) to the end to form chia̍h-chhài-lâng.
How do you pronounce it?
chia̍h-chhài
Did you know?
- Strict vegetarians in Hokkien culture often avoid the 'five pungent spices', which include garlic, onions, chives, leeks and shallots.
- In many Hokkien-speaking communities, being a chia̍h-chhài-lâng is often linked to religious merit rather than just health or ethics. Many people follow this diet specifically to accumulate karma or honor Buddhist traditions.
- When someone says they are chia̍h-chhài during a specific lunar month, it often refers to a temporary religious vow rather than a permanent lifestyle.
Examples in context
- 我欲找素食的餐廳。guá beh tsuē sù-chia̍h ê thâng-kan.I want to find a vegetarian restaurant.
- 素食者真濟。sù-chia̍h-chiá chin tsuē.There are many vegetarians.
Example conversation
Zhiming and Meiling are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 志明 Chi-ming美玲，咱去食牛肉麵好無？Bí-lîng, án-tsē khì chia̍h ngiu-bah-mī hó-bô?Meiling, shall we go eat beef noodles?
- 美玲 Mei-ling我袂使，我是素食。guá bē-sái, guá sī sù-si̍k.I can't, I am a vegetarian.
- 志明 Chi-ming喔，我忘了。咱去食素食店。ō, guá bîng-uì. án-tsē khì chia̍h sù-si̍k tiám.Oh, I forgot. Let's go to a vegetarian restaurant.
- 美玲 Mei-ling好，感謝你，志明。hó, kám-siā lí, Tsì-bîng.Okay, thank you, Zhiming.
