Japanese word

刺す

Pronunciation

Romajisasu

Meaning

  • verbpierce

Example

針で紙を刺します。hari de kami o sa shi ma su

I pierce the paper with a needle.

Illustration for 刺す (pierce)

More examples

画びょうを刺して、ポスターを壁に留めます。ga byō o sa shi te po su tā o kabe ni to me ma su

I stick in a thumbtack and secure the poster to the wall.

Core concept

A pointed part or object enters a target or presses sharply against it, producing a hole, a wound, or a brief intense pain.

Common phrases

  • 画びょうを刺すga byō o sa su

    push in a thumbtack

  • 布に針を刺すnuno ni hari o sa su

    pierce fabric with a needle

Similar words

突き刺すtsukisasu: To make a pointed object enter something, often with strong force.
貫くtsuranuku: To cause a pointed object to go all the way through something.
突くtsuku: To press a pointed object against something, whether or not the point enters it.

Definition in Japanese

鋭い物の先を物や人に突き入れて穴や傷をつけ、虫の場合は針を皮膚に入れて痛みを与える。surudo i mono no saki o mono ya hito ni tsu ki i re te ana ya kizu o tsu ke mushi no ba ai wa hari o hi fu ni i re te ita mi o ata e ru

Word origin

刺す (sasu) is a native Japanese verb attested in Old Japanese; the character 刺 (shi, "pierce") was adopted as a written sign for its meaning and does not establish the verb's origin.

Usage tips

  • English usually distinguishes pierce, stab, and sting, but Japanese uses 刺す (sasu) for all three kinds of sharp contact.

Other meanings

  • stingverb
  • stabverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 刺し方sashikataway of piercingnoun

Word lists with this word