고슴도치
goseumdochi[ko̞sʰɯmdo̞t͡ɕʰi]
The Korean word for hedgehog is 고슴도치 (goseumdochi).
고슴도치 is a noun used to refer to the hedgehog animal.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
goseumdochi
Did you know?
- The word 고슴도치 actually contains the Middle Korean word 돝, which means 'pig' or 'swine'.
- In Korean folklore and common idioms, the 고슴도치 is often used to describe someone who is prickly or difficult to approach.
Examples in context
- 칼만은 자기 고슴도치를 조심스레 집어올렸다.Kalman picked his hedgehog up gently.Tatoeba #13206415 by Uwe, translation #12052802 by Amastan
- 고슴도치도 제 새끼는 함함하다고 한다.Even a hedgehog thinks its baby's spine soft and silky.
- 고슴도치에 놀란 호랑이 밤송이 보고 절한다.A tiger surprised by a hedgehog will bow before the chestnut burrs.Tatoeba #2655665 by KoreanBeaver, translation #2834010 by 0ni
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book in a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 고슴도치는 정말 귀엽다.i goseumdochineun jeongmal gwiyipta.This hedgehog is really cute.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아, 가시가 아주 많아.maja, gasiga aju manha.True, it has a lot of spines.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우야, 너도 저 고슴도치가 좋아?hyeonuya, neodo jeo goseumdochiga joa?Hyunwoo, do you like that hedgehog too?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 정말 귀여운 것 같아.eung, jeongmal gwiyoun geot gata.Yes, I think it is really cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hedgehog” translations and entries 고슴도치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고슴도치, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
