Italian Phrase
Abbiamo un ospite vegetariano.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that there is a guest who follows a vegetarian diet. It is a neutral statement that can be used to explain why a meat‑free menu is being prepared or to alert others to a dietary restriction.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are hosting a meal, planning a menu, or simply informing friends, family, or staff that one of your visitors does not eat meat. It works both in casual home settings and in more formal hospitality contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Abbiamounospitevegetariano
Abbiamo
First‑person plural present of *avere* (to have). Used to express possession or the existence of something.
un
Indefinite article for masculine singular nouns. It becomes *una* for feminine nouns.
ospite
Noun meaning ‘guest’. It can be masculine or feminine; the article decides the gender.
vegetariano
Adjective ‘vegetarian’. Must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (masc. sing. → *vegetariano*, fem. sing. → *vegetariana*).
🗨In Conversation
Abbiamo un ospite vegetariano, quindi preparerò un piatto senza carne.
We have a vegetarian guest, so I’ll prepare a dish without meat.
Perfetto, grazie per averlo considerato!
Perfect, thanks for taking that into account!
✕Common Mistakes
Una ospite vegetariano.
The article and adjective must match the gender of the noun. Use *un ospite vegetariano* (masc.) or *un'ospite vegetariana* (fem.).
Siamo un ospite vegetariano.
Use *abbiamo* (we have) for possession; *siamo* means ‘we are’ and would be incorrect here.
Abbiamo una ospite vegetariano.
When the noun starts with a vowel, the indefinite article contracts to *un'* for feminine nouns: *un'ospite vegetariana*.
↔Alternatives
C'è un ospite vegetariano.
There is a vegetarian guest.
Accoglieremo un ospite vegetariano.
We will host a vegetarian guest.
Il nostro ospite è vegetariano.
Our guest is vegetarian.
Cultural Tip
Italian hospitality (l'ospitalità) is famous for making guests feel at home. In recent years, vegetarianism has become more common, especially in big cities, so many restaurants now label dishes as *vegetariano* or *vegano*. When you mention a vegetarian guest, it’s polite to ask if they have any other preferences (e.g., dairy‑free, gluten‑free) and to offer a traditional Italian vegetarian option such as *pasta al pomodoro*, *risotto alle verdure*, or *caponata*.