I don't eat meat
in SpanishNo como carne
/no KOH-moh KAHR-neh/
This is the most direct, standard way to state your dietary restriction. It works in any Spanish-speaking country and in any social situation.
Using 'No como carne' allows you to politely decline dishes and ask for alternatives.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Soy vegetariano / Soy vegetariana
/soy beh-heh-tah-ryAH-noh / nah/
Use this to define your identity rather than just an action. Use 'vegetariano' if you identify as male, and 'vegetariana' if you identify as female.
Soy vegano / Soy vegana
/soy beh-GAH-noh / nah/
Used when you eat no animal products at all (no dairy, eggs, or honey). As with vegetarian, change the ending to 'o' or 'a' based on your gender.
¿Lleva carne?
/YEH-bah KAHR-neh?/
Literally 'Does it carry meat?' This is the most practical phrase for ordering food to check specific dishes.
Sin carne, por favor
/seen KAHR-neh, por fah-BOR/
A simple request to modify a dish. Useful for street food or customizing orders.
No como animales
/no KOH-moh ah-nee-MAH-lehs/
Literally 'I don't eat animals.' It is very clear and helps avoid confusion about whether fish or chicken counts as 'meat' in that region.
¿Tiene platos vegetarianos?
/TYEH-neh PLAH-tohs beh-heh-tah-RYAH-nohs?/
Asks 'Do you have vegetarian dishes?' A polite way to ask for menu options.
No como cerdo
/no KOH-moh SEHR-doh/
Specific restriction for pork. Useful because sometimes 'meat' is interpreted only as beef.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
There are nuances between identifying with a label versus simply stating what you don't eat.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| No como carne | Neutral | ||
| Soy vegetariano/a | Neutral | ||
| Soy vegano/a | Neutral |
📈Difficulty Level
Very straightforward. The 'r' in carne requires a small tap of the tongue, but no rolling is needed.
Basic present tense negation. 'No' + 'Verb'. Very simple.
The difficulty lies in the cultural definition of what 'meat' includes (ham, chicken, broth, lard).
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to change the gender ending (o/a)
- Navigating menus where meat is hidden in 'vegetable' dishes
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, no como carne. ¿Qué me recomienda?
Excuse me, I don't eat meat. What do you recommend?
Lo siento, pero soy vegetariana.
I'm sorry, but I am vegetarian (female speaker).
¿Estos frijoles llevan manteca? Es que soy vegano.
Do these beans have lard? It's just that I'm vegan (male speaker).
Quiero dos tacos, pero sin carne, por favor.
I want two tacos, but without meat, please.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Is Chicken Meat?' Confusion
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word 'carne' (meat) is frequently used to mean specifically 'beef' or 'red meat.' If you say 'no como carne,' a waiter might still bring you chicken (pollo) or ham (jamón). To be safe, it is often better to say 'soy vegetariano' or specify 'ni pollo, ni jamón' (neither chicken nor ham).
Hidden Meat Ingredients
Traditional cooking in countries like Mexico and Spain often uses animal fats for flavor even in vegetable dishes. Mexican beans often contain lard (manteca), and Spanish vegetable soups or sandwiches might include bits of ham or tuna. Always ask specifically if a dish is '100% vegetal' if you are strict.
Meat Culture in the Southern Cone
Argentina and Uruguay have some of the highest meat consumption rates in the world. While vegetarianism is growing in cities like Buenos Aires, in rural areas, a 'vegetarian option' might just be the salad garnish that comes with the steak. However, these countries also have excellent pasta and pizza traditions due to Italian immigration.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Wrong Gender Ending
Mistake: "A woman saying 'Soy vegetariano'."
Correction: Soy vegetariana.
Using 'Estoy' instead of 'Soy'
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy vegetariano'."
Correction: Soy vegetariano.
Assuming 'Vegetal' Sandwich is Meat-Free
Mistake: "Ordering a 'sándwich vegetal' in Spain and expecting no animals."
Correction: Ask: '¿Lleva atún o huevo?' (Does it have tuna or egg?)
💡Pro Tips
Be Specific with 'Ni... Ni...'
To be absolutely clear, you can use the structure 'No como carne, ni pollo, ni pescado' (I don't eat meat, nor chicken, nor fish). This list method prevents the waiter from assuming fish is okay.
The Magic Word: 'Alergia'
If you are worried about cross-contamination or broth, sometimes it is easier to say 'tengo alergia' (I have an allergy) to meat or pork. Restaurants take allergies much more seriously than preferences.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Ham (jamón) is a cultural staple and often considered a condiment rather than 'meat.' A salad might come with tuna and ham unless you specify otherwise.
Mexico
The biggest hidden traps are lard (manteca) in beans/tamales and chicken bouillon (caldo de pollo) in rice and soups. Street food vendors are usually happy to customize tacos if the filling allows.
Argentina
In the land of 'asado' (BBQ), vegetarianism can be puzzling to older generations. However, Italian influence means excellent meat-free pasta and pizza are available almost everywhere.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter clarifies your restriction
¿Ni siquiera pescado?
Not even fish?
No, nada de animales, gracias.
No, nothing from animals, thanks.
Asking for options
Tenemos ensalada y pasta.
We have salad and pasta.
¿La pasta lleva caldo de pollo?
Does the pasta have chicken broth?
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'Carne' sounds like the start of 'Carnivore'. If you say 'No CARNE', you are saying 'No Carnivore' food.
Vegetariano sounds almost exactly like Vegetarian. Just add an 'o' (for male) or 'a' (for female) at the end. It's a 'cognate'—a word that is the same in both languages.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'meat' usually implies all animal flesh. In Spanish, 'carne' often defaults to 'beef' or 'red meat' in the minds of many native speakers. You have to be more specific in Spanish than in English to achieve the same result.
Spanish is direct. It is not rude to simply say 'No como carne' without a lengthy apology.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this directly to 'No como carne' might still get you chicken or ham in some regions.
Use instead: Soy vegetariano (covers all categories better).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
I have an allergy
This is the next level of food safety and dietary restriction vocabulary.
The bill, please
Essential for finishing your dining experience.
It was delicious
Polite way to compliment the food you could eat.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I don't eat meat
Question 1 of 3
You are a woman ordering food. How should you say 'I am vegetarian'?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'No como carne' cover chicken and fish?
Technically yes, but practically no. In many regions, 'carne' implies red meat (beef/pork). To be safe, say 'Soy vegetariano' or specify 'No como carne, ni pollo, ni pescado'.
How do I say I am vegan?
You say 'Soy vegano' (if male) or 'Soy vegana' (if female). Note that in smaller towns or rural areas, the concept of veganism might be less understood, so you may need to explain: 'No como carne, ni leche, ni huevos' (I don't eat meat, milk, or eggs).
Is it rude to refuse food in Spanish culture?
It can be sensitive, as food is love in Hispanic culture. However, stating a health or identity reason ('Soy vegetariano') is widely respected. It helps to add a polite 'Se ve delicioso, pero...' (It looks delicious, but...) before explaining.
What if I just don't eat pork?
You should say 'No como cerdo' (I don't eat pork). This is very common and clearly understood.
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