cochon
/kɔ.ʃɔ̃/masculine
The English word pig is translated into French as cochon. Wiktionary also lists porc and pourceau.
Meaning: mammal of family Suidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cochon | /kɔ.ʃɔ̃/ | masculine |
| porc | /pɔʁ/ | masculine |
| pourceau | /puʁ.so/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe the mammal of the family Suidae. While it is the standard word for the animal, it can also be used informally to describe a person as dirty or lewd.
Which one should you use?
cochon is the standard, neutral term for the animal. porc is used when referring to pig meat in a culinary context or as an insult for a person with bad manners. pourceau is an archaic or literary term for a pig or piglet.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms provided are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ.ʃɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The English word 'pork' is a direct loanword from the French porc, which entered English after the Norman Conquest.
- The word cochon is onomatopoeic, meaning it was created by imitating the actual sounds a pig makes.
- In French culture, calling someone a cochon often implies they are lewd or have a 'dirty mind', which is a more specific social nuance than just being physically messy.
Examples in context
- Tu es un porc.You're a pig.This sentence shows how to use porc as an insult.Tatoeba #5277377 by Blabla, translation #2218034 by CK
- Tom est un porc !Tom is a pig!Tatoeba #4851911 by Aiji, translation #5136555 by Airvian
- Le cochon est rose.The pig is pink.This sentence shows how to use cochon to refer to the animal.Tatoeba #3703285 by Aiji, translation #2504051 by Ricardo14
- J'ai vu un cochon dans la ferme hier.I saw a pig on the farm yesterday.
- Les enfants adorent les petits cochons en porcelaine.Children love porcelain piglets.
- Arrête de manger comme un goret !Stop eating like a pig!
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are visiting a small farm.
- HugoRegarde ce cochon, Emma !Look at this pig, Emma!
- EmmaIl est très mignon, Hugo.He is very cute, Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce qu'il est gentil ?Is he friendly?
- EmmaOui, il semble très calme.Yes, he seems very calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pig” translations and entries cochon, porc, pourceau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cochon, porc, pourceau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
Thanks Clifford. My sister and I were trying to get the Australian equivalent in French for the rather naughty expression “pig’s arse.” (Which is a common way of saying that something is not to be entirely believed). So we are going with “La derriere cochon,” or would “Le couchon derriere” be more appropriate? Either way, it has FAR more flavour than the Australian expression and we are gong to use that in future.