Italian · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Pig" in Italian: maiale
il maiale
Pig in Italian is il maiale (eel mah-YAH-leh), masculine: un maiale, i maiali. On menus, maiale often means pork as meat.
At a farm
Il maiale dorme sotto la tettoia.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce maiale
Say it
eel mah-YAH-leh
/maˈja.le/
mah-YAH-leh, stress on YAH. Maiali is mah-YAH-lee.
"Pig" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il maiale | the pig; pork Animal or meat. | Animal or meat. |
| un maiale | a pig One animal. | One animal. |
| i maiali | the pigs Plural. | Plural. |
| carne di maiale | pork Clear meat phrasing. | Clear meat phrasing. |
How to use maiale in real life
- 1At a farm
Il maiale dorme sotto la tettoia.
The pig is sleeping under the shelter.
Il maiale animal.
- 2Menu talk
Questo ragù è di maiale, non di manzo.
This ragù is pork, not beef.
Di maiale as meat.
- 3Countryside
I maiali mangiano avanzi dell'orto.
The pigs eat garden leftovers.
I maiali.
Mistakes English speakers make with maiale
Incorrect: La maiale è grande.
Correct: Il maiale è grande.
Maiale is masculine.
Incorrect: Vedo due maiale.
Correct: Vedo due maiali.
Plural is maiali.
Good to know
Italian food culture talks about maiale constantly—salumi, ragù, porchetta—while farms still raise maiali as animals. Context tells you meat versus living pig.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Visiting a small farm with kids
ChatPal
Guarda il maiale rosa vicino al fango!
Look at the pink pig by the mud!
You
Il maiale vuole i nostri avanzi di mela.
The pig wants our apple leftovers.
ChatPal
Non dare pane ai maiali: c'è il cartello.
Don't give bread to the pigs: there's a sign.
You
Ok. Fotografo solo il maiale e via.
Ok. I'll just photograph the pig and go.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Pig" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Pig" in Italian
Is maiale masculine?
Yes: il maiale, i maiali.
Does it mean pork too?
Yes, especially on menus.
How do I say pigs?
I maiali.
What is a sow called?
Una scrofa; piglet is un maialino.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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