Readings: シ (Onyomi), さ.す, さ.さる, さ.し (Kunyomi)
Meaning: To stab, pierce, prick, sting, bite, sting, sharp, acute, pungent
The character is a phono-semantic compound. The phonetic component is 次 (tsugi – next, follow), which provides the sound, and the semantic component is 刀 (katana – sword/knife), indicating the action of stabbing or piercing.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 刺 begins with a vertical stroke, followed by a horizontal, then another vertical stroke. Next, there are two diagonal strokes. Finally, a horizontal stroke, a vertical stroke, and a final horizontal stroke complete the character.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 刂 (knife) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 8 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シ (SHI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さす (sasu)
- ささる (sasaru)
- さし (sashi)
Common Words Using 刺
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 刺す | さす | to stab, to pierce |
| 刺激 | しげき | stimulus, stimulation, incentive, irritation |
| 刺身 | undefined | sashimi (raw fish) |
| 刺客 | しかく | assassin, stabber |
| 刺青 | しせい | tattoo |
| 針刺 | しんし | acupuncture needle |
| 刺殺 | しさつ | stabbing to death |
| 刺股 | さすまた | a two-pronged spear used by feudal Japanese law enforcement officers |
| 刺胞 | しほう | cnidoblast (stinging cell) |
| 刺殺劇 | しさつげき | a drama involving stabbing to death |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 刺さる | ささる | to stick in, to be stuck in |
| 刺し身 | さしみ | sashimi (raw fish) |
| 刺しゅう | ししゅう | embroidery |
| 刺し手 | さしで | a person who stabs |
| 刺し傷 | さしきず | stab wound |
| 刺しゅう針 | ししゅうばり | embroidery needle |
| 刺しゅう糸 | ししゅういと | embroidery thread |
| 刺しゅう道具 | ししゅうどうぐ | embroidery tools |
| 刺しゅう作家 | ししゅうさっか | embroidery artist |
| 刺しゅう作品 | ししゅうさくひん | embroidery work |
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