свиња
svinja[ˈsviɲa]feminine
The English word 'pig' is translated into Macedonian as свиња (svinja).
The word свиња refers to the mammal of the family Suidae. Beyond the literal animal, it is a common insult used to describe a person who is perceived as dirty, greedy or morally corrupt. Additionally, the idiomatic phrase јаде како свиња is used to describe someone who eats messily or greedily, which functions much like the English idiom 'to eat like a pig'.
Meaning: mammal of family Suidae (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word свиња is a feminine noun. Its plural form is свињи.
How do you pronounce it?
svinja
Did you know?
- While свиња is the standard word for the animal, the word прасе for a piglet is often used as a cute nickname for small children or even romantic partners in an affectionate way.
- The word свиња shares a common root with the English word 'swine', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *suH-.
- In Macedonian culture, calling someone a свиња is often a more severe social condemnation than in English. It does not just imply greed but can suggest a fundamental lack of moral character.
Examples in context
- Не јади како свиња.Don't eat like a pig.This sentence shows how to use свиња in a command regarding eating habits.Tatoeba #4383386 by Lepotdeterre, translation #41548 by CK
- Ти си лажлива свиња.You're a lying pig.This sentence demonstrates using свиња as a personal insult.Tatoeba #4165120 by Lepotdeterre, translation #3723742 by CM
- Таа јаде како свиња.She eats like a pig.This sentence illustrates the idiom regarding how someone eats using свиња.Tatoeba #4349785 by Lepotdeterre, translation #2980306 by pne
- Гледај го ова прасенце! Толку е слатко!Look at this little pig! It's so cute!
- Фермерот има многу свињи на својот имот.The farmer has many pigs on his property.
- Ова слатко и весело прасенце е фатено.This cute and cheerful pig is caught.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aleksandar and Marija are visiting a farm.
- Александар AleksandarПогледни ја онаа голема свиња!Pogledni ja onaa golema svinja!Look at that big pig!
- Марија MarijaДа, таа е многу смешна.Da, taa e mnogu smešna.Yes, it is very funny.
- Александар AleksandarДали свињата спие во калта?Dali svinjata spie vo kalta?Does the pig sleep in the mud?
- Марија MarijaДа, така им е пријатно.Da, taka im e prijatno.Yes, they find it pleasant that way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pig” translations and entries свиња, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries свиња, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
