ベジタリアン
べじたりあん
noun
vegetarian
1.
vegetarian
A person who does not eat meat or fish for dietary, religious, ethical, or health reasons.
私はベジタリアンです。
I'm a vegetarian.
彼女は十年前からベジタリアンだ。
She has been a vegetarian for ten years.
ベジタリアンの人のためのメニューはありますか。
Do you have a menu for vegetarians?
最近、健康のためにベジタリアンになる人が増えている。
Recently, more people are becoming vegetarian for their health.
Loanword from English "vegetarian." Refers to someone who abstains from eating meat, though in Japan the exact scope (whether fish, eggs, or dairy are included) is often less strictly defined than in English-speaking countries. People may need to clarify what they do or do not eat.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ベジタリアンになる: to become a vegetarian
- ベジタリアン料理: vegetarian food/cuisine
- ベジタリアンメニュー: vegetarian menu
- ベジタリアン向け: for vegetarians
- ベジタリアン対応: vegetarian-friendly (e.g., of a restaurant)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ビーガン: vegan — stricter; excludes all animal products including eggs and dairy
- 菜食主義者: vegetarian (formal/technical) — literally "person of the vegetable-eating doctrine"
- 精進料理: Buddhist vegetarian cuisine — traditional Japanese religious vegetarian food
CULTURAL NOTE:
Vegetarianism is relatively uncommon in Japan, and many traditional dishes contain fish stock (だし) even when they appear to be vegetable-based. Vegetarians visiting Japan often have to ask specifically about hidden animal ingredients.