jabalí
/xabaˈli/
The Spanish word for boar is jabalí.
The term jabalí is used to refer specifically to a wild boar.
Meaning: male pig (noun)
Which one should you use?
While jabalí refers specifically to a wild boar, the word cerdo is the general term used for a domestic pig.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of jabalí is jabalíes.
How do you pronounce it?
/xabaˈli/
Did you know?
- The word jabalí actually describes where the animal lives rather than what it is. It is derived from the Arabic word for 'mountain', literally meaning 'of the mountain'.
- While jabalí describes the animal, the general word for pig, cerdo, is often used as a harsh insult to call someone greedy or dirty.
- In Spain, the jabalí is frequently classified as a pest rather than game, which creates legal tension between those who want to 'control' the population and those who want to 'hunt' it.
Examples in context
- El jabalí es salvaje.The boar is wild.This sentence is useful for describing a boar as being wild using jabalí.Tatoeba #7865787 by Seael, translation #11243468 by Luornu
- El jabalí está arruando.The boar is grunting.This sentence is useful for describing a boar grunting using jabalí.Tatoeba #11133832 by ecorralest101, translation #10191355 by AlanF_US
- Los jabalís se cazan por la noche.One hunts wild boar at night.This sentence is useful for discussing the hunting of boars at night using jabalís.Tatoeba #1330018 by marcelostockle, translation #917669 by willhite2
- Durante nuestro safari en España, pudimos observar un jabalí en su hábitat natural.During our safari in Spain, we were able to observe a boar in its natural habitat.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are walking through a forest.
- Mateo¡Mira, un jabalí!Look, a boar!
- SofíaEs enorme, Mateo.It is huge, Mateo.
- MateoEl jabalí se fue al bosque.The boar went into the woods.
- SofíaMenos mal que no nos atacó.It's a good thing it didn't attack us.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry jabalí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jabalí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
