How to Write 刺 (cì) — Meaning “To stab / To sting / Thorn.”

Imagine a sharp thorn (朿) sticking into your skin, and then you use a knife (刂) to cut it out. The two parts together create a vivid picture of a painful stab. This mental image helps you recall that 刺 means "to stab" or "thorn."

Pay special attention to the left part 朿: it has a horizontal hook after two vertical strokes, not a regular vertical line. Also, the right part 刂 must be written with two strokes: first a vertical hook, then a short horizontal line. A common mistake is confusing 朿 with 束 (bundle), which has a different middle shape.

While all three contain the knife radical 刂, 刺 uses 朿 (thorn) and means "to stab" or "prick." 刎 uses 勿 (do not) and specifically means "to cut the throat." 刑 uses 开 (open) and refers to punishment or execution. Visually, 刺 has a "thorn" shape on the left, while 刎 and 刑 have very different left components.

刺 appears in everyday words like 刺激 (cì jī, to stimulate or exciting), 刺耳 (cì ěr, harsh or ear-piercing sound), and 刺青 (cì qīng, tattoo). The word 刺青 has cultural significance as it refers to traditional Chinese tattooing, which was historically used for punishment but is now a common form of body art.

Common words containing 刺 include: 刺激 (cì jī) — To stimulate / Exciting.; 刺耳 (cì ěr) — ear-piercing; harsh (sound); 刺青 (cì qīng) — tattoo.