Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hedgehog'

English Word: hedgehog

Key Russian Translations:

• ежик [ˈjeʐɨk] - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in general conversations, literature, and educational materials about animals, but not as common as basic vocabulary like "собака" (dog).)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for new learners due to simple pronunciation and basic noun structure, though declensions may introduce early challenges.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ежик: [ˈjeʐɨk]

Note on ежик: The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English, and can be tricky for beginners. Stress falls on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the "ж" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The small, spiny mammal found in forests and gardens.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ежик - Used in neutral, everyday contexts, such as describing wildlife or in children's stories. Commonly refers to the European hedgehog in Russian-speaking regions.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу живёт ежик, который любит есть насекомых.

  In the forest lives a hedgehog that loves to eat insects. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its habitat and behavior.)

• Дети увидели ежика в саду и не побеспокоили его.

  The children saw a hedgehog in the garden and didn't disturb it. (Demonstrates the noun in a narrative context, with basic verb conjugation.)

• Ежик свернулся в клубок, чтобы защититься от холода.

  The hedgehog curled up into a ball to protect itself from the cold. (Illustrates the noun with an action verb, showing defensive behavior in descriptive language.)

• В зоопарке есть несколько ежиков разных видов.

  In the zoo, there are several hedgehogs of different species. (This uses the plural form to discuss variety, common in educational or informational contexts.)

• Маленький ежик пробирался через кусты ночью.

  The little hedgehog was making its way through the bushes at night. (Shows the noun with adjectives and adverbs for more complex sentence structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ежик" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ерш (ersh) - A less common synonym, often used in poetic or regional contexts to refer to similar spiny creatures, but not exact.
• Antonyms: Not applicable (As "hedgehog" is a specific animal, it doesn't have direct antonyms; however, contrasting terms like "хищник" (predator) could be conceptually opposite in wildlife discussions.)

Related Phrases:

• Дикий ежик - Wild hedgehog (Refers to hedgehogs in their natural habitat, often used in nature documentaries or educational texts.)
• Ежик в тумане - Hedgehog in the fog (A reference to a famous Russian children's book and animated film, implying mystery or adventure.)
• Маленький ежик - Little hedgehog (A common affectionate phrase in stories for children, emphasizing cuteness.)

Usage Notes:

"Ежик" directly corresponds to the English "hedgehog" as a noun for the animal, and it's the most neutral and widely accepted translation. It is used across various contexts, from formal scientific discussions to informal storytelling, but avoid it in highly technical zoology where Latin names like "Erinaceus europaeus" might be preferred. When choosing between translations, "ежик" is always the safest option for general use. Grammatically, remember that as a masculine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., "маленький ежик" for "little hedgehog"). In spoken Russian, it can carry a endearing connotation, especially in children's literature.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using "ежик" in the genitive case as "ежик" instead of "ежика". Correct: "У ежика колючки" (The hedgehog has spines). Explanation: English speakers often forget Russian case endings; always match the case to the sentence structure for grammatical accuracy.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "ёж" (a diminutive or poetic form), leading to misuse in formal contexts. Correct: Use "ежик" for standard reference. Explanation: "Ёж" is less common and more literary, so stick to "ежик" for clarity in everyday language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the hedgehog (ежик) often appears in folklore and children's stories as a clever, resourceful character, such as in the tales of Russian writer Sergey Kozlov. This portrayal symbolizes adaptability and innocence, reflecting the animal's real-life behavior. In modern Russian media, hedgehogs are popular in animations and memes, evoking nostalgia and a connection to nature.

Related Concepts:

• лиса (fox)
• заяц (hare)
• лесной житель (forest dweller)