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刺骨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刺骨cìgǔpiercingHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21837, Very Hard
刺骨cìgǔcuttingHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21837, Very Hard
刺骨cìgǔbone-chillingHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21837, Very Hard
刺骨cìgǔpenetrating (cold)HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21837, Very Hard
cìgǔ(ci4gu3)ci gu T4
  1. 1piercing
  2. 2cutting
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March 24, 2026

刺骨cìgǔ(ci4gu3)

刺骨 (cì gǔ) describes a sensation that is intensely penetrating and often associated with extreme cold. It is commonly used to express discomfort from weather conditions, such as a 'bone-chilling' cold, but can also be metaphorically applied to emotional pain or harsh criticism.

Strokes17Frequency#21837DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, phrases describing extreme cold often carry a deeper emotional resonance, reflecting the country's varied climate and the traditional emphasis on harmony with nature. 刺骨 is frequently used in literature and poetry to convey profound feelings.

Memory tip

Imagine a sharp needle (刺) piercing through a bone (骨) in the freezing cold. This image helps connect the idea of something that cuts deeply, both physically and emotionally, while the pronunciation 'cì gǔ' sounds like 'see goo,' which can remind you of seeing something chilling.

Meanings of 刺骨

cìgǔ(ci4gu3)
1piercing
2cutting
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About 刺骨

刺骨Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 刺骨

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AI Study Notes for 刺骨

Quick Contrast

刺痛 (cì tòng) - 刺骨 emphasizes an extreme, penetrating cold sensation, while 刺痛 refers specifically to a sharp, stinging pain.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 刺骨 with similar phrases; it specifically refers to penetrating cold or intense feelings. It's more commonly used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about weather or emotional experiences. Ensure you use the correct tone, as 'cì' is fourth tone and 'gǔ' is third tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 刺骨 is not directly listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with words related to weather and emotions at HSK 3-4 level. Focus on understanding adjectives that describe sensations to build a richer vocabulary for expressing feelings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 刺骨 to describe mild cold, whereas it should only be used for extreme sensations. For example, saying '今天不刺骨' (It's not bone-chilling today) is incorrect if it's actually very cold.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刺骨

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Component Characters

刺cìthorn
HSK 68 strokes刂
View full entry
骨gǔbone
HSK 79 strokes骨
View full entry

How to say piercing in Chinese

“piercing” in Chinese is刺骨cìgǔ

刺骨 (cì gǔ) describes a sensation that is intensely penetrating and often associated with extreme cold. It is commonly used to express discomfort from weather conditions, such as a 'bone-chilling' cold, but can also be metaphorically applied to emotional pain or harsh criticism.

When to use 刺骨

Be careful not to confuse 刺骨 with similar phrases; it specifically refers to penetrating cold or intense feelings. It's more commonly used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about weather or emotional experiences. Ensure you use the correct tone, as 'cì' is fourth tone and 'gǔ' is third tone.

刺骨 or something close to it

刺痛 (cì tòng) - 刺骨 emphasizes an extreme, penetrating cold sensation, while 刺痛 refers specifically to a sharp, stinging pain.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 刺骨 to describe mild cold, whereas it should only be used for extreme sensations. For example, saying '今天不刺骨' (It's not bone-chilling today) is incorrect if it's actually very cold.

Write 刺骨

刺
骨

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Frequently Asked Questions about 刺骨

Yes, while primarily referring to cold, 刺骨 can also describe intense emotional experiences, such as pain or grief.

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