Meet 刺 in physical pricks, food and figurative stimulation. Learn each reading with a complete word.

The idea

刺 has 8 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 刺す（さす） means to prick or pierce, 刺身（さしみ） is sashimi, and 刺激（しげき） means stimulation or irritation.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
刺すさすPlease stick the needle into the cloth.
刺身さしみI ate fresh sashimi.
刺激しげきThat book was intellectually stimulating.

Examples

  • とげが指ゆびに刺ささりました。A thorn pricked my finger.
  • 蚊かに腕うでを刺さされました。A mosquito bit me on the arm.
  • 針はりを布ぬのに刺さしてください。Please stick the needle into the cloth.
  • 新鮮しんせんな刺身さしみを食たべました。I ate fresh sashimi.
  • あの本ほんは知的ちてきな刺激しげきになりました。That book was intellectually stimulating.
  • このせっけんは肌はだを刺激しげきすることがあります。This soap may irritate the skin.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not assume every 刺 word describes a thorn: 刺激 can describe an idea that stimulates or a substance that irritates. 刺さる is intransitive; 刺す takes an object.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 刺す in hiragana.

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    さす

    刺す is さす. A needle can pierce cloth; learn the reading with the whole verb.

  2. Write the reading of 刺激 in hiragana.

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    しげき

    刺激 is しげき. It can be intellectual stimulation or irritation of the skin.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿身（さしみ）［刺／束］.

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    刺

    刺 completes 刺身（さしみ）, meaning sashimi. Remember its spelling as a whole word.

Use it today

Write 刺 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 刺す and 刺激, then make a sentence with one.