Definitions

(verb) to stab; to pierce
(noun) thorn; sting
(verb) to assassinate
(onomatopoeia) (onom.) whoosh

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "刺" is structured with the component "朿", representing a thorn, and the knife radical "刂", directly indicating its original meaning of stabbing or piercing with a sharp object. This concrete sense later extended to figurative applications such as sharp criticism or the act of assassination, while also retaining its reference to physical thorns on plants. The graphical form of the character, built from these two components, has been employed without alteration in various historical periods.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

玫瑰花上有

Méiguī huā shàng yǒu cì.

There are thorns on roses.

猬身上有很多

Cìwei shēnshang yǒu hěnduō cì.

Hedgehogs have many spines on their bodies.

他被扎伤了手。

Tā bèi cì zhā shāngle shǒu.

He pricked his hand with a thorn.

这个故事很激。

Zhège gùshi hěn cìjī.

This story is very exciting.

绣是一种传统工艺。

Cìxiù shì yī zhǒng chuántǒng gōngyì.

Embroidery is a traditional craft.

客突然出现在黑暗中。

Cìkè tūrán chūxiàn zài hēi'àn zhōng.

The assassin suddenly appeared in the darkness.

他的批评像一样扎心。

Tā de pīpíng xiàng cì yīyàng zhā xīn.

His criticism is like a thorn piercing the heart.

这种植物人的感觉很难受。

Zhè zhǒng zhíwù cì rén de gǎnjué hěn nánshòu.

The sensation of being pricked by this plant is very uncomfortable.