خنزير
ḵanzīrstandard
The standard word for pig in Egypt is خنزير (ḵanzīr).
Pigs are rare in Muslim households because pork is not eaten, so the word often appears as an insult for a dirty or greedy person.
Meaning: farm animal (noun)
When do people say it?
Egypt has a Christian minority that has traditionally raised pigs in some areas, but the topic is sensitive.
Did you know?
- Calling someone a pig is a common insult in Arabic, which makes the word sound rude in many contexts.
Examples in context
- الخنزير حيوان.el-ḵanzīr ḥayawān.The pig is an animal.
- شفت خنزير في الفيلم.šuft ḵanzīr fil-film.I saw a pig in the movie.
- متقولش على حد خنزير.matʾūlš ʿala ḥadd ḵanzīr.Do not call anyone a pig.
Example conversation
Two children, Malak and Ziad, look at a picture book at their school in Cairo.
- Malakده إيه؟da ēh?What is this?
- Ziadده خنزير.da ḵanzīr.It is a pig.
- Malakلونه وردي.lonu wardi.It is pink.
- Ziadومنخاره كبير.wi minḵāru kebīr.And its snout is big.
