How to Say “Pig” in Maltese

By Derek Declan • Updated September 30, 2026

ħanżir

/ħanˈziːr/masculine

The English word pig is translated into Maltese as ħanżir or qażquż.

Meaning: mammal of family Suidae (noun)

Ways to say it

“pig” in Maltese
Maltese	IPA	Note
ħanżir	/ħanˈziːr/	masculine
qażquż	/ʔasˈʔuːs/	masculine

Both terms refer to the mammal of the family Suidae.

How do you pronounce it?

/ħanˈziːr/

Did you know?

While ħanżir is the standard term, the word qażquż is actually an onomatopoeia derived from the sound of a pig grunting.
In Maltese culture, calling someone a ħanżir is often used to describe a person who is greedy or gluttonous.

Examples in context

Il-ħanżir huwa kbir.
The pig is big.

Example conversation

Myriam and Justin are visiting a farm together.

Myriam

Justin, ara dak il-ħanżir!
Justin, look at that pig!
Justin

Huwa imdawwar u ħoss!
He is round and fat!
Myriam

Id-dar tal-ħanżir qasba.
The pig's house is clean.
Justin

Iva, kollox tidher tidy.
Yes, everything looks tidy.

Sources

Wiktionary, “pig” translations and entries ħanżir, qażquż, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries qażquż, ħanżir, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Derek Declan

مرحبًا (Hello), I am Derek. As a lover of languages and cultures, I have an unstoppable passion for the Arabic culture and language. My wanderlust often takes me on journeys across the Arab world. Also, a self-proclaimed foodie, unleashing my culinary skills to recreate traditional dishes like hummus and bread, is my favourite pastime. My interest in Arabic also led me to Maltese, its Mediterranean relative written in Latin letters, and I now write guides on Maltese too. My interest in Arabic is not merely linguistic, but I indulge in breaking down societal norms and cultural subtleties.

Derek DeclanHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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