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刺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刺cīthornHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cī(onom.) whooshHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīstingHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīthrustHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto prickHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto pierceHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto stabHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto assassinateHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto murderHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cīto stab; to prick, to irritate; to prodHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìthornHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cì(onom.) whooshHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìstingHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìthrustHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto prickHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto pierceHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto stabHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto assassinateHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto murderHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
刺cìto stab; to prick, to irritate; to prodHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1807, Hard
cì(ci4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1thorn
  2. 2(onom.) whoosh
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

刺cì(ci4)

The character 刺 (cī) primarily means to prick or pierce, often associated with sharp objects or actions. It can also convey a sense of irritation or annoyance when used metaphorically. In literary contexts, it may refer to both physical and emotional wounds, making it versatile in usage.

Strokes8Radical刂Frequency#1807DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, certain thorns are used in herbal remedies, symbolizing both pain and healing. The concept of刺 is also prevalent in Chinese literature, where it often represents betrayal or emotional pain.

Memory Tip

Imagine a thorny bush (the radical 刀, meaning knife, represents sharpness) where a bee (whoosh sound) stings you. The sharp thorn pricks your skin, reminding you that 刺 (cī) is all about sharp, piercing actions and sounds.

Meanings of 刺

cì(ci4)
primary
1thorn
2(onom.) whoosh
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 刺

刺Simplified
8Strokes
刂Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1807Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 刺

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Podcast: 刺

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 刺

Quick Contrast

刺 (cì) vs 刺激 (cìjī) — choose 刺 for a direct action of pricking or piercing, while 刺激 implies stimulation or provocation.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 刺; it is pronounced with the first tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. This character is often used in contexts involving sharp objects, pain, or conflict, and can also appear in idiomatic expressions. Common collocations include 刺杀 (assassinate) and 刺痛 (sting).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 刺 connects with other words related to violence or sharpness, such as 刀 (knife) and 伤 (injury). Students should focus on the various contexts in which 刺 can be used, especially in literature and idiomatic expressions.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 刺 with similar-sounding words like 次 (cì, meaning 'next' or 'second'). For example, using 刺 when you mean 次 in a sentence could lead to confusion, so be sure to clarify the context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刺

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Etymology of 刺

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 朿 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

knife

Semantic (meaning)刂
+
Phonetic (sound)朿
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 刺

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 朿 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half刂 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half朿 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayknife
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 刺? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 刺?

Decomposition of 刺

IDS Structure⿰朿刂
刺Full Character
=
朿ci4
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 刺?

How to say thorn in Chinese

“thorn” in Chinese is刺cī

The character 刺 (cī) primarily means to prick or pierce, often associated with sharp objects or actions. It can also convey a sense of irritation or annoyance when used metaphorically. In literary contexts, it may refer to both physical and emotional wounds, making it versatile in usage.

When to use 刺

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 刺; it is pronounced with the first tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. This character is often used in contexts involving sharp objects, pain, or conflict, and can also appear in idiomatic expressions. Common collocations include 刺杀 (assassinate) and 刺痛 (sting).

刺 or something close to it

刺 (cì) vs 刺激 (cìjī) — choose 刺 for a direct action of pricking or piercing, while 刺激 implies stimulation or provocation.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 刺 with similar-sounding words like 次 (cì, meaning 'next' or 'second'). For example, using 刺 when you mean 次 in a sentence could lead to confusion, so be sure to clarify the context.

Write 刺

刺

Practice writing 刺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 刺

刺 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

它用讽____的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。

It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.

Common Confusions with 刺

刺vs次
cì

Similar pronunciation but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "thorn"?

or

Usage Notes for 刺

Mixing up 刺 and 次Common Error

Learners often confuse 刺 (cī) with 次 (cì) due to similar sounds. Remember that 刺 refers to actions like pricking or stabbing, while 次 refers to order or sequence.

1

我被刺了一下。

I was pricked.

2

这是第二次了。

This is the second time.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我被____了一下。

I was pricked.

Example Sentences for 刺 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
它用讽刺的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。

tā yòng fěng cì de yǔ yán chéng xiàn le tiān zhǔ jiào zuò jiā zhèng zhòng qí shì biǎo míng de guān diǎn。

It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.
2
这名男子在一次疯狂的袭击中被刺死。

zhè míng nán zǐ zài yī cì fēng kuáng de xí jī zhōng bèi cì sǐ。

The man was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack.
3
为避免相撞而刹车时，他听到了轮胎与地面刺耳的摩擦声。

wéi bì miǎn xiāng zhuàng ér chà chē shí， ， tā tīng dào le lún tāi yǔ dì miàn cì ěr de mó cā。

He heard tires squeal as the car braked to avoid a collision.
4
他的作品带有一种讽刺意味的幽默。

tā de zuò pǐn dài yǒu yī zhǒng fěng cì yì wèi de yōu mò。

There is a wry sense of humour in his work.
5
玛蒂尔达在一块有花鸟图案的祭坛布上刺绣。

mǎ dì ěr dá zài yī kuài yǒu huā niǎo tú àn de jì tán bù shàng cì xiù。

Matilda was embroidering an altar cloth covered with flowers and birds.
6
玫瑰花上都有刺，不过只要小心就碰不到。

méi guī huā shàng dū yǒu cì， ， bù guò zhī yào xiǎo xīn jiù pèng bù。

Roses will always have thorns but with care they can be avoided.
7
他是个敏感的小伙子，有些批评刺痛了他。

tā shì gè mǐn gǎn de xiǎo huǒ zǐ， ， yǒu xiē pī píng cì tòng le。

He's a sensitive lad and some of the criticism has stung him.
8
要把马练好,缰绳靴刺不可少.

yào bǎ mǎ liàn hǎo, , jiāng shéng xuē cì bù kě.

It is the bridle and spur that makes a good horse.
9
场面非常刺激撩人，我感到欲火难耐。

cháng miàn fēi cháng cì jī liāo rén， ， wǒ gǎn dào yù huǒ nán。

It was extremely hot and I was feeling rather randy.
10
很多人喜欢富有挑战性的工作所带来的强烈的精神刺激。

hěn duō rén xǐ huān fù yǒu tiāo zhàn xìng de gōng zuò suǒ dài lái de qiáng liè de jīng shén cì jī。

Many enjoy the mental stimulation of a challenging job.

Cultural Notes for 刺

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While 'sting' in Western contexts often refers to insect bites or sharp feelings, in Chinese culture, 刺 can carry a heavier emotional weight relating to betrayal or harm.

Word Family of 刺

Words Containing This Character20
刺激cìjīto provoke
刺cìthorn
讽刺fěngcìto satirize諷刺
刺杀to assassinate刺殺
刺客assassin
刺伤to stab刺傷
穿刺puncture
冲刺chōngcìto sprint衝刺
马刺spur (on riding boots)馬刺
针刺to prick with a needle針刺
刺史provincial governor (old)
刺绣cìxiùto embroider刺繡
刺耳cì’ěrear-piercing
刺刀bayonet
刺眼to dazzle
刺激性thrilling
遇刺to be attacked by an assassin
刺骨cìgǔpiercing
刺痛sting
刺猬hedgehog刺蝟
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 刺激 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 刺

刺 (cī) refers more to thorns or sharp objects that can cause injury, while 针 (zhēn) specifically means 'needle' and is typically used in contexts related to sewing or medical procedures. They both imply sharpness, but their usages differ based on context.

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