1
a porcupine
porcupine 是可数名词，单数前可用不定冠词 a。
We saw a porcupine in the forest.
我们在森林里看到一只豪猪。
豪猪
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
豪猪
porcupine
We saw a porcupine in the forest.
我们在森林里看到一只豪猪。
豪猪科(旧大陆豪猪)或美洲豪猪科(新大陆豪猪)的任何一种啮齿动物,均属于豪猪下目,以其尖锐的刺或毛著称,在受到攻击或惊吓时会竖起。
Any of several rodents of either of the taxonomic families Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) or Erethizontidae (New World porcupines), both from the infraorder Hystricognathi, noted for their sharp spines or quills, which are raised when the animal is attacked or surprised.
体型较大的啮齿动物,毛发中夹杂着尖锐的竖立刺
relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
We saw a porcupine waddling across the forest trail at dusk.
黄昏时，我们看到一只豪猪摇摇摆摆地穿过林间小路。
The porcupine raises its sharp quills when it feels threatened.
豪猪感到受威胁时会竖起它尖尖的刺。
Porcupines are shy animals that usually avoid people.
豪猪是害羞的动物，通常会避开人。
porcupine 是可数名词，单数前可用不定冠词 a。
We saw a porcupine in the forest.
我们在森林里看到一只豪猪。
porcupines 是复数形式，用于指多只豪猪。
Porcupines are slow-moving rodents.
豪猪是行动缓慢的啮齿动物。
porcupine 可直接放在另一名词前作定语，构成复合名词。
The porcupine quills are sharp.
豪猪刺很锋利。
Not this
Porcupine are nocturnal animals.
Use this
Porcupines are nocturnal animals.
“Porcupine”是可数名词，泛指时要用复数形式 porcupines。中文没有名词复数概念，因此容易漏掉 -s；加上 -s 后主语和谓语才一致。
Not this
The hedgehog is a large rodent with sharp quills.
Use this
The porcupine is a large rodent with sharp quills.
“豪猪”对应的英文是 porcupine；hedgehog 是“刺猬”，不是啮齿动物。用 hedgehog 会同时造成词义和动物分类错误，改用 porcupine 才能表达原意。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
豪猪刺
The porcupine quills are a natural defense against predators.
豪猪刺是抵御捕食者的天然防御。
刺豚
A porcupine fish blows up like a balloon when threatened.
刺豚受到威胁时会像气球一样鼓起来。
豪猪巢穴
We found a porcupine den under a pile of rocks.
我们在岩石堆下发现了一个豪猪巢穴。
豪猪肉
Porcupine meat is considered a delicacy in some regions.
在某些地区，豪猪肉被视为一种美味。
浑身是刺；极易动怒
Don't talk to him this morning — he's as prickly as a porcupine.
今天早上别跟他说话——他浑身是刺，一碰就炸。
像豪猪竖起浑身的刺一样勃然大怒（或充满戒备）
He bristled like a porcupine when I mentioned his ex-wife.
我一提到他的前妻，他就像豪猪竖起浑身的刺一样勃然大怒。
豪猪这种动物，必须戴着手套才能触碰，它或许会受人敬畏，但永远不会被人喜爱。
The porcupine puffed up its quills when the dog came too close.
当狗靠得太近时，豪猪竖起了身上的刺。
Use porcupine naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
porcupine 可拆想成 pork（猪肉）+ pine（松针），想象一只猪把松针插满全身，就成了浑身是刺的豪猪。
语域：neutral 常见场景：动物科普文章、日常对话 “porcupine”是普通动物名称，正式与非正式场合都通用，日常聊天、科普读物和一般报道中都比较常见。
这些词都含有 /paɪn/ 这个读音，与 porcupine 的结尾发音相同。注意拼写相似的 porpoise 读作 /ˈpɔːrpəs/，与 porcupine 开头相似但结尾并不押韵；另外 porcupine 中的 cup 读 /kjə/，不要按 /kʌp/ 来读。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.