How to say "sting" in Japanese

• しみるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbThe stinging or smarting felt in a wound or sensitive area, and cold that bites — for example when something touches a cut, or icy wind stings your face. Usually written in kana alone.
  石せっけんが目めにしみました。↗

  The soap hurt my eyes.
• 刺すさすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor stinging or biting done to you by an insect or animal, such as a mosquito. For the stinging felt in a wound or sensitive skin, しみる is the usual word, not this one.
  蚊かにたくさん刺さされました。↗

  I got a lot of mosquito bites.

Use 「しみる」 for the stinging or smarting felt in a wound or sensitive skin and for cold that bites, and 「刺す」 when an insect or animal stings or bites you.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• スティングsting
• 毒針どくばりsting (of a bee, etc.)
• 虫刺されむしさされinsect bite
• ヒリつくto hurt
• 刺し傷さしきずstab wound
• 食うくうto bite
• しみるto sting (of a wound, sensitive area, etc.)
• 刺すさすto sting
• チリつくto tingle