How to Say “Vegetarian” in Thai

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มังสวิรัติ
mang-sà-wí-rát/maŋ˧.sa˨˩.wi˦˥.rat̚˦˥/
The English word 'vegetarian' is translated into Thai as มังสวิรัติ (mang-sà-wí-rát).
มังสวิรัติ is a noun used to describe a person who does not eat any animal flesh. To express the action of eating a vegetarian diet, use the verb กิน (kin – to eat) followed by มังสวิรัติ, such as in the phrase กินมังสวิรัติ. If you want to specify 'vegetarian food', you can add the word อาหาร (aa-hǎan – food) before the term to create อาหารมังสวิรัติ.
Meaning: person who does not eat any animal flesh (noun)

Which one should you use?

While มังสวิรัติ refers to a general vegetarian, the related term เจ (Jae) refers to a specific, strict vegetarian diet that also excludes pungent vegetables like garlic and onions, a practice often associated with Buddhist traditions.

Related words

Relating to the type of diet eaten by vegetarians (adj): มังสวิรัติ, เจ.

How does it change in a sentence?

Additionally, when expressing that you eat a strict 'Jae' diet, you can use the phrases Chan gin jay (ฉันกินเจ) if the speaker is female or Pom gin jay (ผมกินเจ) if the speaker is male.

How do you pronounce it?

The word is pronounced mang-sà-wí-rát (/maŋ˧.sa˨˩.wi˦˥.rat̚˦˥/). It consists of four syllables.

When do people say it?

In Thailand, there is a distinction between general vegetarianism and the 'Jae' diet. While มังสวิรัติ covers any person avoiding meat, the 'Jae' diet (associated with the term อาหารเจ for 'vegetarian food') is a specific cultural and religious practice that excludes not just meat, but also certain pungent aromatics like garlic and onions.

Did you know?

  • The term เจ (Jae) is often marked in shops by a bright yellow sign with red lettering to signal the availability of food.
  • The word มังสวิรัติ is a loanword from Sanskrit, composed of the words for 'flesh' and 'to refrain'.
  • The เจ diet is often a temporary spiritual commitment during specific lunar calendar months rather than a permanent lifestyle choice like มังสวิรัติ.

Examples in context

  • ทอมเป็นมังสวิรัติ
    Tom is a vegetarian.
    This sentence shows how to say 'Tom is a vegetarian' using มังสวิรัติ.
    Tatoeba #8669482 by pastelite, translation #2272886 by CK
  • ฉันเป็นมังสวิรัติ
    I'm a vegetarian.
    This sentence shows how to say 'I am a vegetarian' using มังสวิรัติ.
    Tatoeba #8675776 by pastelite, translation #1661965 by avoidingrealwork
  • เขาทานมังสวิรัติมาหลายปีแล้ว
    khao thaan mang-sa-wi-rat maa lai pee laew
    He has been a vegetarian for many years.

Example conversation

A cafe where friends are choosing food.

  1. ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasit

    คุณกนกวรรณทานมังสวิรัติหรือเปล่าครับ
    khun kanokwan thaan mang-sa-wi-rat reu plao khrap
    Are you a vegetarian, Kanokwan?
  2. กนกวรรณ Kanokwan

    ใช่ค่ะ ฉันทานมังสวิรัติค่ะ
    chai kha chan thaan mang-sa-wi-rat kha
    Yes, I am a vegetarian.
  3. ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasit

    งั้นผมจะสั่งเมนูมังสวิรัติให้คุณนะครับ
    ngan phom ja sang mue-nu mang-sa-wi-rat hai khun na khrap
    Then I will order a vegetarian menu for you.
  4. กนกวรรณ Kanokwan

    ขอบคุณมากค่ะ ชลสิทธิ์
    khop khun maak kha Chonlasit
    Thank you very much, Chonlasit.

Sources

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Layla Lula
Layla LulaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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