свини́на
svinínafeminine
The Russian word for pork is свини́на (svinína).
свини́на is used to refer specifically to the meat of a pig.
Meaning: meat of a pig (noun)
Which one should you use?
While свини́на refers to the meat, the word свинья is used to refer to the animal itself.
How do you pronounce it?
svinína
Did you know?
- The word свини́на shares its root with the word сви́нья, meaning 'pig', but it is also the basis for the word свини́ться, which describes two people becoming too close or overly intimate in an unpleasant way.
- Russian has a specific word сало for cured pork fat, which is treated as a distinct culinary category from свини́на. It is often eaten raw with garlic and rye bread.
- The word свинья is used as a common insult for a person who is rude or greedy. While свини́на is neutral, calling someone a свинья is a strong social critique of their character.
Examples in context
- Наш ресторан предлагает блюда из свинины.Our restaurant offers dishes made with pork.
- Свини́на это очень вкусное мясо.Svinina eto ochen' vkusnoye myaso.Pork is a very delicious meat.
- Для этого блюда нужна свини́на.Dlya etogo blyuda nuzhna svinina.Pork is needed for this dish.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are discussing what to cook for dinner.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, у нас есть свини́на?Mariya, u nas yest' svinina?Maria, do we have pork?
- Мария MariaДа, я купила свини́ну сегодня утром.Da, ya kupila svininu segodnya utrom.Yes, I bought pork this morning.
- Дмитрий DmitryОтлично, тогда сделаем запечённое мясо.Otlichno, togda sdelayem zapechyonnoye myaso.Great, then let's make roasted meat.
- Мария MariaХорошая идея, Дмитрий.Khoroshaya ideya, Dmitriy.Good idea, Dmitry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pork” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
