What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tienes (you have), cara (face), de (of) and cerdo (pig).
Which one should you use?
While tienes cara de cerdo is the standard form, you may also encounter tienes cara de puerco, which is a common colloquial variation used in many Spanish-speaking regions to convey the same insult.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase tienes cara de cerdo is informal and is used in aggressive settings. For more formal ways to express this resemblance, you could use Tu rostro se asemeja al de un cerdo or Parecieras tener facciones porcinas. Conversely, informal versions include ¡Tienes una cara como un chanchito! or Pareces un cerdito con esa cara.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions use specific variations: in Argentina, one might say Tenés una jeta de chancho and in Mexico, one might say Tienes una cara como de marrano.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the preposition de is used to indicate resemblance or characteristic, replacing the English "like a" in this context.
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the word jeta is used instead of cara in the phrase Tenés una jeta de chancho. While it means 'face', jeta specifically refers to the snout of an animal and is used to imply a person is brazen or shameless.
- The Spanish word cara for face comes from the Ancient Greek word kára, which originally meant 'head'.
- In some contexts, calling someone a cerdo in Spanish refers to their lack of manners or hygiene rather than their physical appearance.
Examples in context
- ¡No puedo creer lo mucho que te pareces a un cerdo cuando haces esa expresión!I can't believe how much you look like a pig when you make that expression!
- Mi amor, a veces tienes una cara de chanchito irresistible.My love, sometimes you have an irresistible pig face.
- ¡No me hables, tienes cara de cerdo!Don't talk to me, you have a face like a pig!
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing during a heated game.
- Elena¡Eres un tramposo y tienes cara de cerdo!You are a cheater and you have a face like a pig!
- DanielElena, no seas tan grosera conmigo.Elena, don't be so rude to me.
- Elena¡Es que me desesperas!It's just that you drive me crazy!
- DanielSolo estábamos jugando.We were only playing.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cara, cerdo, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
