ёж
jož[jɵʂ]masculine
The Russian word for hedgehog is ёж (jož). Wiktionary also lists ёжик (jóžik) and ежи́ха (ježíxa).
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ёж | jož | [jɵʂ] (narrow) | masculine |
| ёжик | jóžik | [ˈjɵʐɨk] (narrow) | masculine |
| ежи́ха | ježíxa | feminine | |
| ежа́к | ježák | masculine, regional |
The word is used to refer to the animal. To specify a young or baby hedgehog, the term ежонок is used.
Which one should you use?
The standard masculine form is ёж. You can use the diminutive ёжик to refer to a little hedgehog or to express affection for one. The form ежи́ха is the feminine form, while ежа́к is a regional or colloquial variation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form ежа́к is used in certain regions or as a colloquial variation of the standard word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ежи́ха is feminine. The form ежа́к is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
jož
Did you know?
- Russian speakers use the word ёжик as a slang term for a specific hairstyle where the hair is cut very short and stands upright.
- The phrase ёжик в тумане, meaning 'hedgehog in the fog', refers to a world-famous Soviet animated film that is a cult classic among adults and children.
- The letter ё in ёж is one of the few letters in the Russian alphabet that is sometimes omitted in writing, though it must be pronounced correctly when speaking.
Examples in context
- Ёж – это животное.The hedgehog is an animal.This sentence is useful for identifying a hedgehog as an animal.Tatoeba #11808268 by marafon, translation #12764058 by rul
- Ёж свернулся в клубок.The hedgehog rolled up into a ball.This sentence is useful for describing the behavior of a hedgehog.Tatoeba #12795413 by marafon, translation #5384187 by Hybrid
- Ёж – это маленькое животное.The hedgehog is a small animal.This sentence is useful for noting that a hedgehog is a small animal.Tatoeba #2091597 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #803658 by Eldad
- Я видел прекрасного ёжа в зоопарке.I saw a beautiful hedgehog at the zoo.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Anastasia are walking in a park.
- Сергей SergeyСмотри, Анастасия, там ёж!Smotri, Anastasiya, tam yozh!Look, Anastasia, there is a hedgehog!
- Анастасия AnastasiaОй, какой он маленький.Oy, kakoy on malen'kiy.Oh, how small he is.
- Сергей SergeyОн очень быстро бежит.On ochen' bystro bezhit.He is running very fast.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, он уходит в кусты.Da, on ukhodit v kusty.Yes, he is going into the bushes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hedgehog” translations and entries ёж, ёжик, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
