cerdo
/ˈθeɾdo/masculine
Pork in Spanish is cerdo. Wiktionary also lists puerco and carne de chancho.
Meaning: meat of a pig (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cerdo | /ˈθeɾdo/ /ˈseɾdo/ |
masculine |
| puerco | /ˈpweɾko/ | masculine |
| carne de chancho | /kaɾne de t͡ʃant͡ʃo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| matagón | /mataɡon/ (from spelling rules) | El Salvador, masculine |
Which one should you use?
While cerdo is the standard term, puerco is also used to mean pork. In parts of Spain, you may hear carne de cerdo or the word tocino when referring to various cuts of pork.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In El Salvador, matagón is used. The term carne de chancho is also used for pork. In South American countries like Colombia and Venezuela, the term chicharrón specifically refers to fried pork belly or pork rinds.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms for pork are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθeɾdo/
Did you know?
- The word puerco can be used as slang for a 'police officer' in certain regions, a usage influenced by the English word 'pig'.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone a puerco is a common way to label them as 'dirty' or 'filthy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, jamón refers specifically to the cured leg of the pig, which is a distinct culinary category from general cerdo.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué no comes cerdo?Why don't you eat pork?This sentence is useful for asking why someone does not eat cerdo.Tatoeba #7980725 by Shishir, translation #6645895 by CK
- Tom no puede comer cerdo.Tom can't eat pork.This sentence is useful for stating that someone cannot eat cerdo.Tatoeba #3103956 by marcelostockle, translation #1907943 by Spamster
- ¿Le gusta el lomo de cerdo?Do you like pork loin?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific cut of cerdo.Tatoeba #2265786 by cueyayotl, translation #2265785 by _undertoad
- El restaurante sirve exquisito cerdo asadoThe restaurant serves delicious roasted pork
- La parrillada estuvo repleta de puerco deliciosoThe grill-out was full of delicious pork
- El guiso de marrano que hizo mi abuela es el mejorMy grandmother makes the best pork stew
- El asado de chancho estaba deliciosoThe roasted pork was delicious
- Voy a disfrutar una deliciosa cochinita pibilI am going to enjoy a delicious slow-roasted pork dish
- Voy a comprar carne de cerdo para hacer una paellaI am going to buy pork to make a paella
- En este mercado venden los mejores chicharronesThe best pork rinds are sold in this market
- costillas de cerdoPork ribs
- lomo de cochinoPork loin
- ¿Me puedes pasar un poco más de puerco asado, por favor?Could you pass me some more roasted pork, please?
- Voy a preparar una deliciosa paleta de cerdo al hornoI am going to cook a delicious roasted pork shoulder
- Quiero probar el lechón en mi próxima visita a Puerto RicoI want to try suckling pig on my next visit to Puerto Rico
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are deciding what to have for dinner.
- JavierTengo ganas de comer cerdo hoy.I feel like eating pork today.
- MaríaA mí también, ¿qué cocinamos?Me too, what shall we cook?
- JavierPodemos hacer costillas de cerdo.We can make pork ribs.
- MaríaMe parece una idea genial, Javier.That sounds like a great idea, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pork” translations and entries cerdo, puerco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carne, cerdo, chancho, de, puerco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
