cinghiale
/t͡ʃinˈɡja.le/masculine
The English phrase "wild boar" is cinghiale in Italian.
The word refers to the animal *Sus scrofa*.
Meaning: Sus scrofa (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cinghiale is the standard term, suino selvaggio is used in formal or academic contexts. Additionally, cinghialino is a diminutive form used to describe a small or cute wild boar.
How does it change in a sentence?
cinghiale is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /tʃinˈɡja.le/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
Wild boar is featured in Italian cuisine, most notably in the famous Tuscan dish Pappardelle al Cinghiale, which consists of wide pasta served with wild boar sauce.
Did you know?
- The word cinghiale shares a common root with the English word 'singular' through the Latin *singulāris, which originally described a 'single' or 'unique' pig.
- Due to overpopulation, the cinghiale has become a modern urban symbol in cities like Rome, where they are frequently spotted wandering through city squares.
- In Italy, cinghiale is often used as a colloquial metaphor for a person who is clumsy or charges headfirst into situations without thinking.
Examples in context
- Il mio piatto preferito è il cinghiale con bacche di ginepro.My favorite dish is wild boar with juniper berries.This sentence is useful for discussing a favorite dish featuring cinghiale.Tatoeba #12723666 by ildorato, translation #11176466 by SunnyMoon
- Il cinghiale è un animale selvatico che si trova comunemente nelle campagne italiane.The wild boar is a wild animal commonly found in the Italian countryside.
- La popolazione di suini selvaggi sta crescendo rapidamente in questa regione.The population of wild boars is rapidly increasing in this region.
- Ho visto un cinghialino molto carino nel bosco oggi.I saw a very cute little wild boar in the woods today.
- Il cinghiale corre nel bosco.The wild boar runs in the woods.
- Abbiamo visto un cinghiale stamattina.We saw a wild boar this morning.
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are walking through a park in the countryside.
- FrancescoChiara, guarda quel cinghiale!Chiara, look at that wild boar!
- ChiaraOddio, è molto vicino a noi.Oh my god, it is very close to us.
- FrancescoNon aver paura, è un cinghiale tranquillo.Don't be afraid, it is a calm wild boar.
- ChiaraSpero che se ne vada subito.I hope it leaves immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wild boar” translations and entries cinghiale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cinghiale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
