I'm vegetarian
Use this if you identify as female. In Spanish, adjectives must match the gender of the person.
A very common and simple way to explain your diet. It means 'I don't eat meat.'
Use this to be more specific: 'I don't eat meat or fish.'
Hello, I'm vegetarian. Does the menu have options for me?
I'm a vegetarian (female). Does the soup have meat?
Thank you, but I don't eat meat.
For me, a salad. I'm a vegetarian.
The phrases 'Soy vegetariano/a' and 'No como carne' are standard and universally understood across all Spanish-speaking countries. There are no significant regional variations for this specific phrase.
Completely standard. You can confidently use 'Soy vegetariano/a'.
Standard usage. 'Soy vegetariano/a' is perfectly normal and understood everywhere.
Standard usage. This phrase is identical in Spain.
Using 'estoy' instead of 'soy'. — Say 'Soy vegetariano,' not 'Estoy vegetariano.' Being a vegetarian is part of your identity (ser), not a temporary condition or feeling (estar).
Using the wrong gender ending. — If you are female, you must say 'Soy vegetariana' (ends in -a). If you are male, say 'Soy vegetariano' (ends in -o). The adjective must match your gender.
Pronouncing 'vegetariano' with a hard 'g'. — The 'g' in 'vegetariano' is soft, like the 'h' in 'hello'. It's 'veh-heh-tah-ree-AH-noh,' not 'veh-geh-tah-ree-AH-noh'.
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