刺

Character

刺 cì · cī

HSK 4Character2 readings

thorn

Radical: 刂
Strokes: 8
Structure: Left–right
Parts: 朿刂
Traditional: 刺
Frequency: #1287 most common character

Practice writing

Readings and meanings

cìMain reading cīRare reading

cì

ci4Main readingHSK 4

thorn CC-CEDICT
sting CC-CEDICT
thrust CC-CEDICT
to prick CC-CEDICT
to pierce CC-CEDICT
to stab CC-CEDICT
to assassinate CC-CEDICT
to murder CC-CEDICT

Words that use “刺” as cì

刺激cì jīto excite someoneWordHSK 4 冲刺chōng cìto run as fast as you can, usually near the end of a raceWordHSK 7–9 刺绣cì xiùembroideryWordHSK 7–9 刺耳cì ěr(of a sound) loud and sharp, unpleasant to hearWordHSK 7–9 刺骨cì gǔso cold that it hurts, as if it cuts into your bonesWordHSK 7–9 讽刺fěng cìto make fun of someone or something in a mean wayWordHSK 7–9 倒刺dào cìbarbWord 击刺jī cìto stabWord

cī

ci1Reading 2Rare reading

This reading is uncommon in everyday Chinese; the main reading is cì.

a sharp point on a plant; a thorn
to make a small hole in something with a sharp point; to prick

Examples

这棵树的叶子有刺。
zhè kē shù de yè zi yǒu cì
The leaves of this tree have sharp points.
AI-generated sentence
别摸它，刺会刺到你的手。
bié mō tā cì huì cì dào nǐ de shǒu
Don't touch it. The thorn will poke your hand.
AI-generated sentence

Words that use “刺” as cī

刺棱cī lēng(onom.) sound of quick movementWord

Stroke order

Practice writing 刺

Draw “刺” here — the faint guide shows its shape.

See all 99 words with 刺 →

Same radical 刂

All characters with 刂 →

到dào 前qián 剋kè 利lì 別bié 别bié 制zhì 列liè 剧jù 劇jù 则zé 則zé

刺