puerco
“puerco” means “pig” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
pig
Also: pork
📝 In Action
Hay tres puercos en la granja.
A1There are three pigs on the farm.
Me gusta mucho comer carne de puerco.
A1I really like eating pork meat.
El puerco es un animal muy inteligente.
A2The pig is a very intelligent animal.
dirty
Also: gross / mean
📝 In Action
¡Qué puerco está el baño!
A2How filthy the bathroom is!
No seas puerco y límpiate la cara.
B1Don't be gross; clean your face.
Me hizo una jugada muy puerca.
B2He played a very dirty trick on me.
Vocabulary Collections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: puerco
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most common use of 'puerco' in Mexico?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'porcus', which was the standard term for a domestic pig.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'puerco' the same as 'cerdo'?
Essentially, yes. 'Cerdo' is more common in Spain, while 'puerco' is very common in Latin America. 'Puerco' can sometimes feel slightly more informal or descriptive of filth.
Is it rude to call someone a 'puerco'?
Yes, it can be quite offensive. It implies the person is filthy or has no manners. Use it carefully!
Does it mean pork or pig?
It means both! Context tells you which one: 'El puerco corre' (The pig runs) vs 'Como puerco' (I eat pork).