ngaai4 zaai1挨齋挨斋
Jyutpingngaai4 zaai1
Yalengàaih jāai
Definition
To eat a strictly vegetarian diet, especially out of necessity, religious practice, or self-discipline.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
This term carries a slightly informal or even self-deprecating tone, often implying that the diet is restrictive or forced by circumstances rather than a religious choice. It is frequently used when someone is trying to save money or recover from overindulging in meat. Unlike the formal term 食素, which is neutral, 挨齋 suggests a sense of hardship or endurance.
Examples
His health has not been good lately, so he started eating only vegetables.
Related words
Common phrases
forced to eat only vegetables
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with religious vegetarianism, as 挨齋 specifically highlights the act of struggling through a meatless diet. Using it to describe a devout Buddhist might sound disrespectful or dismissive of their beliefs.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
