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What does the kanji 刺 mean?

刺 means stabbing, pricking; a thorn. On'yomi シ. Kun'yomi さ.す、さ.さる、さ.し、さし、とげ.

Quick facts
On'yomiシ
Kun'yomiさ.す、さ.さる、さ.し、さし、とげ
Strokes8
Main radical刀
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N2
On'yomi シKun'yomi さ.す、さ.さる、さ.し、さし、とげ
N2 · estimated, JLPT framework8 strokes

stabbing, pricking; a thorn

Memory hook

The blade (刂) meeting the thorny branch and going right in — STAB, THORN.

Main radical

刀knife 2 strokes

Built from

Stroke order · 8 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8

Common words

  • 刺すさすto stab, to sting, to bite
  • 刺激しげきstimulation, stimulus
  • 刺身さしみsashimi, sliced raw fish
  • 刺さるささるto stick into, to pierce (something)

More words with this kanji

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Data sources and licences

English meanings, On/Kun readings, stroke counts: KANJIDIC2 — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Components: KRADFILE (EDRDG). Stroke order: KanjiVG (Ulrich Apel), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Mnemonics written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.