JLPT · Level 24
75 words
Japanese word
刺
Pronunciation
Romajitoge
Meaning
- nounthorn
Example
バラの刺に気をつけてください。ba ra no toge ni ki o tsu ke te ku da sa i
Be careful of the thorns on the rose.
More examples
園芸用の手袋をしていても、刺が手に当たることがあります。en gei yō no te bukuro o shi te i te mo toge ga te ni a ta ru ko to ga a ri ma su
Even when you wear gardening gloves, a thorn can still prick your hand.
Core concept
Refers to a hard, sharply pointed growth that can pierce or scratch the body.
Common phrases
刺を抜くtoge o nu ku
remove a thorn
刺に気をつけるtoge ni ki o tsu ke ru
be careful of thorns
Definition in Japanese
植物などにある、先のとがった硬い突起。shoku butsu na do ni a ru saki no to ga tta kata i tok ki
Word origin
The Japanese noun 刺 (toge, "thorn") uses 刺, a Chinese character meaning "to stab or prick"; the native origin of toge is uncertain.
Usage tips
- A rose's sharp projection is commonly called a thorn in everyday English, although botanists classify rose prickles differently from true thorns.
Other meanings
- spinenoun
- pricklenoun