ハリネズミ
harinezumi
The Japanese word for hedgehog is ハリネズミ (harinezumi).
The term refers to the animal known as a hedgehog.
Meaning: animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of hari (needle or spine) and nezumi (mouse or rat).
How do you pronounce it?
harinezumi
Did you know?
- The word is written in Katakana as ハリネズミ even though it is a native Japanese compound, because Katakana is often used for biological names in scientific or encyclopedic contexts.
- In Japanese media, the term ハリネズミ is frequently used as a metaphor for a person who is prickly or difficult to approach due to their defensive personality.
- The term nezumi covers both 'mouse' and 'rat', meaning the Japanese language does not naturally distinguish between these two animals in the way English does.
Examples in context
- Yukiさん、ハリネズミは可愛いですねHedgehogs are cute, aren't they?
- あのハリネズミはとても小さいですThat hedgehog is very small.
- ハリネズミはとてもかわいいです。harinezumi wa totemo kawaii desu.Hedgehogs are very cute.
- 庭にハリネズミがいました。niwa ni harinezumi ga imashita.There was a hedgehog in the garden.
- ハリネズミのぬいぐるみを買いました。harinezumi no nuigurumi o kaimashita.I bought a hedgehog plushie.
Example conversation
A couple is talking about a pet shop they visited.
- 美咲 Misakiあの店にハリネズミがいましたよ。ano mise ni harinezumi ga imashita yo.There was a hedgehog in that shop.
- 蓮 Ren本当ですか？見たいです。hontou desu ka? mitai desu.Really? I want to see it.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんも、きっと気に入ります。ren-san mo, kitto kiniiri masu.Ren, you will surely like it too.
- 蓮 Ren次は一緒に買いに行きましょう。tsugi wa issho ni kai ni ikimashou.Let's go buy one together next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ハリネズミ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
