senza maiale
/ˈsɛn.t͡sa maˈja.le/word by word
The Italian phrase for "no pork" is senza maiale.
senza maiale is used both as a descriptive label for food and as a direct request to ensure a dish does not contain pork products.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition senza (without) and the noun maiale (pig/pork).
Which one should you use?
senza carne di maiale is a more explicit way to say "without pork meat".
How do you pronounce it?
The stress is on the 1st syllable of 4.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the term maiale can be used as an insult to describe someone who is greedy or dirty. If someone is called a maiale, it is a commentary on their character rather than their diet.
- The word maiale is derived from the name of the Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with growth and the month of May.
- If you are dining in a highly formal setting, you might replace maiale with the more refined term suino. While maiale refers to the animal itself, suino is the technical and culinary term used in professional menus.
Examples in context
- Mi spiace, ma non posso mangiare maiale.I'm sorry, but I can't eat pork.
- Questo sugo è senza maiale?Is this sauce without pork?
- Cerco un piatto senza maiale.I am looking for a dish without pork.
- Il menù indica i piatti senza maiale.The menu indicates the dishes without pork.
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are ordering food at a restaurant.
- FrancescoSofia, cosa vuoi ordinare?Sofia, what do you want to order?
- SofiaVorrei la pasta, ma senza maiale.I would like the pasta, but without pork.
- FrancescoLo chiedo subito al cameriere.I will ask the waiter immediately.
- SofiaGrazie, Francesco.Thank you, Francesco.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (senza, maiale) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maiale, senza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
