A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm vegetarian" in Spanish
Learn to say 'I'm vegetarian' in Spanish to confidently order food at restaurants.
Soy vegetariano/a.
soy veh-eh-tah-ree-AH-noh/ahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when ordering food at a restaurant or when someone asks about your dietary preferences. It clearly states you don't eat meat or fish.
Alternatives
- No como carne.More direct, useful if you want to be very explicit about avoiding meat.
- Soy vegano/a.Use this if you also avoid dairy, eggs, and other animal products.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'ser' and 'estar'
Use 'ser' (soy) for permanent characteristics like diet, not 'estar'.
Forgetting the gender ending
Add '-a' to the end if you are female.
A small cultural note
While vegetarianism is understood, some cultures may still offer meat broth or fish sauce in dishes. It's often helpful to specify 'sin carne ni pescado' (without meat or fish) if you want to be extra sure.
Frequently asked
how to say i am vegetarian in spanish
The most common way is 'Soy vegetariano' if you are male, or 'Soy vegetariana' if you are female. This clearly states your dietary choice.
what is the difference between vegetariano and vegano in spanish
'Vegetariano/a' means you don't eat meat or fish. 'Vegano/a' is stricter and means you also avoid dairy, eggs, and other animal byproducts.
how to order food as a vegetarian in spanish
You can say 'Soy vegetariano/a' and then ask '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?). You can also ask '¿Tiene opciones vegetarianas?' (Do you have vegetarian options?).
