tu es un porc
The English phrase "you're a pig" is translated into French as tu es un porc.
This phrase is used as an insult to target someone's lack of manners, cleanliness or their perceived sexual crudeness.
Which one should you use?
While un porc is a strong insult, un cochon is a slightly softer and more common way to call someone a pig, often referring specifically to their messiness or gluttony.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a person formally or to address a group of people, use the version vous êtes un porc.
Did you know?
- In French, calling someone un cochon can be used affectionately or playfully when speaking to children, whereas un porc is almost never used as a term of endearment.
- While porc is used for the insult, the word for the animal in a farm context is almost always cochon. Using porc often shifts the focus from the animal to the meat or a moral failing.
- The French word porc is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pork', but in French it describes both the animal and the meat, whereas English uses two different words.
Examples in context
- Tu es un porc.You're a pig.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of tu es un porc.Tatoeba #5277377 by Blabla, translation #2218034 by CK
- Tu es un porc, tu ne ranges jamais rien.You're a pig, you never tidy anything up.
- Arrête de manger comme ça, tu es un porc.Stop eating like that, you're a pig.
Example conversation
Nathan leaves a mess in the kitchen.
- NathanJe vais nettoyer ça plus tard.I'll clean that up later.
- LéaNon, nettoie maintenant, tu es un porc !No, clean it now, you're a pig!
- NathanC'est exagéré, Léa.That's exaggerated, Léa.
- LéaC'est la vérité.It's the truth.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
