How to Say 'I Am Vegetarian' in French and What You Don't Eat
Learn to say you're vegetarian in French and list foods you avoid, with polite phrases for restaurants and social situations.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
If you're vegetarian, you need to communicate that clearly in French. This lesson teaches you how to say 'I am vegetarian' and specify what you don't eat, using standard contemporary French. You'll learn key vocabulary for meat, fish, and other animal products, and how to politely decline dishes. We'll also cover a common mistake and practice with a dialogue. By the end, you'll be able to handle restaurant interactions and social meals confidently.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I am vegetarian' in French.
- list common foods I don't eat, such as meat, fish, and poultry.
- politely ask if a dish contains meat or fish.
- respond to offers of non-vegetarian food.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je suis végétarien.
I am vegetarian. (said by a male)
zhuh swee vay-zhay-tar-yen
Use this if you are male. The final 'n' is nasal.
Je suis végétarienne.
I am vegetarian. (said by a female)
zhuh swee vay-zhay-tar-yen
Use this if you are female. The extra 'ne' makes it feminine.
Je ne mange pas de viande.
I don't eat meat.
zhuh nuh mahnzh pah duh vyahnd
Standard negation. 'De' is used after a negative.
Je ne mange pas de poisson.
I don't eat fish.
zhuh nuh mahnzh pah duh pwah-sohn
Many vegetarians avoid fish; specify if needed.
Est-ce qu'il y a de la viande là-dedans ?
Is there meat in this?
ess keel ee ah duh lah vyahnd lah-duh-dahn
Useful for asking about a specific dish.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say what you don't eat, use 'Je ne mange pas de' + food. For example, 'Je ne mange pas de viande' (I don't eat meat), 'Je ne mange pas de poisson' (I don't eat fish), 'Je ne mange pas de poulet' (I don't eat chicken). Note that after 'pas', the article 'de' is used instead of 'du' or 'de la'. This pattern is essential for listing dietary restrictions.
When to use it
Use 'Je suis végétarien/végétarienne' when stating your diet. It's polite and clear. In restaurants, you can add 'Est-ce que ce plat est végétarien ?' (Is this dish vegetarian?) or 'Est-ce qu'il y a de la viande là-dedans ?' (Is there meat in this?). If offered meat, say 'Non merci, je ne mange pas de viande.' (No thank you, I don't eat meat.) This is polite and direct.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je suis végétarien. Est-ce que vous avez des plats sans viande ?
Hello, I am vegetarian. Do you have dishes without meat?bohn-zhoor, zhuh swee vay-zhay-tar-yen. ess kuh voo zay-vay day plah sahn vyahnd?Oui, nous avons une salade de légumes et une soupe à l'oignon.
Yes, we have a vegetable salad and onion soup.wee, noo zah-vohn ewn sah-lad duh lay-gewm ay ewn soop ah loh-nyohn.Est-ce que la soupe à l'oignon contient du bouillon de viande ?
Does the onion soup contain meat broth?ess kuh lah soop ah loh-nyohn kohn-tyan dew boo-yohn duh vyahnd?Oui, elle contient du bouillon de bœuf. Je vous recommande la salade.
Yes, it contains beef broth. I recommend the salad.wee, ell kohn-tyan dew boo-yohn duh buhf. zhuh voo ruh-koh-mahnd lah sah-lad.A little context goes a long way
In France, vegetarianism is increasingly common but may be less understood than in some other countries. It's helpful to explain what you don't eat. The term 'végétarien' excludes meat, poultry, and fish, but some may ask about eggs and dairy. If you avoid all animal products, say 'Je suis végétalien/végétalienne' (vegan). In Quebec, 'végétarien' is also used, but you might hear 'végé' informally. It is always polite to ask about ingredients.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je suis un végétarien' (I am a vegetarian) with an article.
Try this instead: In French, professions and dietary identities are used without an article: 'Je suis végétarien' or 'Je suis végétarienne'. Adding 'un' or 'une' sounds like you're saying 'I am a vegetarian person' in a categorical way, which is less natural. Use the form without article.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would a female say 'I am vegetarian' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je suis végétarienne.
The feminine form adds 'ne' to 'végétarien'. This is the standard way for a female speaker.
2Translate: 'I don't eat meat or fish.'
Show a sample answer
Je ne mange pas de viande ni de poisson.
Use 'ne... pas de' for negation, and 'ni' for 'or' in negative sentences. Alternatively, you can say 'Je ne mange ni viande ni poisson.'
3How do you ask if a dish contains meat?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce qu'il y a de la viande là-dedans ?
This phrase means 'Is there meat in this?' You can also ask 'Est-ce que ce plat contient de la viande ?' Both are correct.
Remember to use 'Je suis végétarien/végétarienne' and 'Je ne mange pas de...' to state your diet. Always ask about ingredients politely, and don't forget the feminine form if you are female.
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