French word

hérisson

Pronunciation

IPA/eʁisɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhedgehog

Example

J'ai vu un hérisson dans le parc.

I saw a hedgehog in the park.

Illustration for hérisson (hedgehog)

More examples

Mon frère dessine un hérisson.

My brother is drawing a hedgehog.

Core concept

A small, spiny animal that curls into a tight ball when danger comes close.

Common phrases

  • voir un hérisson

    see a hedgehog

  • un petit hérisson

    a little hedgehog

  • nourrir un hérisson

    feed a hedgehog

Definition in French

Petit animal couvert de piquants, qui se protège en se mettant en boule lorsqu'il a peur.

Word origin

French hérisson comes through Old French heriçon from Latin ericius, the name of a spiny animal.

Usage tips

  • The initial h in hérisson is silent but aspirated, so standard French uses le hérisson rather than l'hérisson.

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