About
The character 刺 means "thorn" or "splinter", and by extension, "to stab" or "to pierce". Its structure combines two components: the left part, 朿, originally depicted a thorny tree and provides both the core meaning and the phonetic element. The right part is the radical 刂, a variant of 刀 ("knife"), which contributes the idea of cutting or using a sharp tool. The meaning thus evolved from the physical thorn to the action of thrusting a weapon, and further to abstract concepts like assassinating, criticizing, or provoking.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
玫瑰花上有刺。
刺猬身上有很多刺。
他被刺扎伤了手。
这个故事很刺激。
刺绣是一种传统工艺。
刺客突然出现在黑暗中。
他的批评像刺一样扎心。
这种植物刺人的感觉很难受。