How to Order Vegetarian Food in Brazil: Portuguese Questions That Help — Practice

Explain what you do and do not eat

Sou vegetariano (masculine speaker) or sou vegetariana (feminine speaker) means “I’m vegetarian.” If you avoid a particular ingredient, state it directly so the person can answer your question.

Vegetarian preferences vary. Say se possível (if possible) when you are asking for a change, and describe what you avoid rather than assuming every menu uses the same definition.

Ask about ingredients and preparation

Leva means “does it contain” in a menu question. Ask whether a dish includes caldo de carne (meat broth), bacon, or another ingredient you avoid.

When the answer matters to you, ask for the ingredients and preparation to be confirmed. A menu description may not include every detail, and staff may need to check with the kitchen.

Request a simple substitution

You can ask whether a side dish or substitution is available: Dá para trocar a carne por legumes? means “Can the meat be replaced with vegetables?” The kitchen may or may not be able to accommodate it.

If you need to be especially clear, repeat the key ingredient you avoid before the order is sent. Confirming prevents a polite conversation from being mistaken for a final order change.

Remember: Use sou vegetariano/vegetariana, ask what a dish leva, and confirm with the restaurant when ingredients or preparation matter to you.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I’m vegetarian. Does this dish contain meat?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Sou vegetariana. Este prato leva carne?

2. I don’t eat chicken or fish.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Eu não como frango nem peixe.

3. Is there a meat-free option?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tem alguma opção sem carne?

4. Do these beans contain meat broth?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Esse feijão leva caldo de carne?

5. Is the soup made with vegetable broth?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A sopa é feita com caldo de legumes?

6. Could you confirm with the kitchen, please?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode confirmar com a cozinha, por favor?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use sou vegetariano/vegetariana, ask what a dish leva, and confirm with the restaurant when ingredients or preparation matter to you.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Order Vegetarian Food in Brazil: Portuguese Questions That Help lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.