porcupine
das Stachelschwein, die Stachelschweine
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porcupine
A large rodent whose back and tail are covered with long, pointed quills. The quills serve to defend it against predators.
Als sich ein Raubtier näherte, stellte das Stachelschwein seine Stacheln auf.
When a predator approached, the porcupine raised its quills.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Stachelschweine |
| genitive | des Stachelschweins |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Stachelschwein | die Stachelschweine |
| accusative | das Stachelschwein | die Stachelschweine |
| dative | dem Stachelschwein | den Stachelschweinen |
| genitive | des Stachelschweins des Stachelschweines | der Stachelschweine |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Stachelschwein' is made up of 'Stachel' (quill/spine) and 'Schwein' (pig). The first component refers to this animal's distinctive quills.
Im Tierpark konnten die Kinder ein Stachelschwein aus sicherer Entfernung beobachten.
At the zoo, the children were able to observe a porcupine from a safe distance.
Words from the context of zoos and animals often occur with 'Stachelschwein': ein Stachelschwein beobachten (to observe a porcupine), ein Stachelschwein füttern (to feed a porcupine), or ein Stachelschwein im Gehege sehen (to see a porcupine in its enclosure).
Die Tierpflegerin fütterte das Stachelschwein am frühen Morgen.
The zookeeper fed the porcupine early in the morning.
Words such as 'Nagetier' (rodent), 'Gehege' (enclosure), 'Zoo' (zoo), 'Stacheln' (quills), and 'Raubtier' (predator) usually show that 'Stachelschwein' is being used as the name of an animal.
Im Gehege bewegte sich das Stachelschwein langsam auf seine Futterstelle zu.
In the enclosure, the porcupine slowly made its way toward its feeding area.
