Italian Phrase
Questa miscela di spezie va benissimo sul maiale.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘This spice blend goes great on pork.’ It expresses that the particular combination of spices is an excellent seasoning for pork dishes, highlighting both taste and suitability.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re recommending a seasoning, describing a recipe, or reviewing a dish that features pork. It works well in cooking classes, food blogs, or casual conversation about meals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Questamisceladispezievabenissimosulmaiale
Questa (Demonstrative adjective)
Matches the gender (feminine) and number (singular) of the noun it modifies (miscela).
di (Preposition of possession)
Links two nouns, indicating that the spices belong to the mixture.
va (Andare used idiomatically)
In this context, ‘va’ means ‘goes well’ or ‘suits’, not the literal motion verb.
benissimo (Intensifier adverb)
An emphatic adverb meaning ‘very well’, stronger than ‘bene’.
sul (Su + il)
Contraction of the preposition ‘su’ (on) and the masculine article ‘il’, used before ‘maiale’.
maiale (Masculine noun)
Means ‘pork’ or ‘pig’; in culinary contexts it refers to pork meat.
🗨In Conversation
Hai provato la nuova miscela di spezie?
Have you tried the new spice blend?
Sì, questa miscela di spezie va benissimo sul maiale.
Yes, this spice blend goes great on pork.
✕Common Mistakes
Questa miscela di spezie è benissimo sul maiale.
‘È’ (is) is not used here; the idiomatic expression requires ‘va’ (goes) to convey suitability.
Questa miscela di spezie va benissimo sulla maiale.
‘Sulla’ is the feminine contraction; ‘maiale’ is masculine, so the correct form is ‘sul’.
Questa miscela di spezie va molto bene sul maiale.
While not wrong, ‘molto bene’ is less emphatic than ‘benissimo’; learners often choose the weaker form.
↔Alternatives
Questa combinazione di aromi è perfetta per il maiale.
This combination of aromas is perfect for pork.
Questa miscela di spezie si sposa benissimo con il maiale.
This spice blend pairs wonderfully with pork.
Questa miscela di spezie è ottima sul maiale.
This spice blend is excellent on pork.
Cultural Tip
Pork is a staple in many Italian regional cuisines, from Tuscan ‘porchetta’ to Lombard ‘cotechino’. Italians often season pork with herbs like rosemary, fennel, and sage, or with spice mixes that include pepper, paprika, and garlic. When using ‘sul maiale’, remember that ‘maiale’ is masculine, so the article contracts to ‘sul’. In southern Italy, you might hear ‘sulla carne di maiale’ for a more formal tone.