刺さる|ささるsasaru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto stick into (of something with a sharp point); to prick; to pierce; to get stuck (in); to lodge (in)
    釘くぎが車くるまのタイヤに刺ささった。↗
    A nail punctured the tire.
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto resonate emotionally; to move
Conjugation
Dictionary form刺さる(ささる)
Polite (masu)刺さります(ささります)
Negative (nai)刺さらない(ささらない)
polite (masen)刺さりません(ささりません)
classical zu / nu刺さらず・刺さらぬ(ささらず・ささらぬ)
Past (ta)刺さった(ささった)
polite (mashita)刺さりました(ささりました)
Past negative (nakatta)刺さらなかった(ささらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)刺さりませんでした(ささりませんでした)
Te form刺さって(ささって)
Potential刺される(さされる)
Passive刺さられる(ささられる)
Causative刺さらせる(ささらせる)
Causative passive刺さらせられる・刺さらされる(ささらせられる・ささらされる)
Conditional (ba)刺されば(さされば)
tara刺さったら(ささったら)
Volitional刺さろう(ささろう)
polite (mashou)刺さりましょう(ささりましょう)
Imperative刺され(さされ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive刺さるささる⇄transitive刺すさす
とげが指ゆびに刺ささる
指ゆびにとげを刺さす
刺さる describes the thorn becoming lodged in the finger (a spontaneous result), while 刺す describes the deliberate act of sticking the thorn into the finger.

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym突き刺さるつきささるNeutralGoes in deeper than 「刺さる」, burying itself well inside; also used of words that stab at the heart.
  • Antonym抜けるぬけるNeutralThe reverse of 「刺さる」: what was stuck in comes loose or falls out, as in 「刺が抜ける」.
  • Antonym外れるはずれるNeutralComes off a fitted or hooked position, or misses a target; it contrasts with 「刺さる」 only in the coming-off sense, not in missing.

Use 「刺さる」 for something sharp sticking into something, or for words that strike home. When it sinks in deep, use 「突き刺さる」. When what was stuck in falls out, say 「抜ける」; 「外れる」 contrasts with 「刺さる」 only where something comes off its fitting.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 長ながさを持もったものが、ある物体ぶったいに、一部いちぶを外部がいぶに残のこして突き入つきいる。
  2. (比喩ひゆ) 強つよい刺激しげきを与あたえる。
  3. (比喩ひゆ: 「胸むねに刺ささる」「心こころに刺ささる」などの形かたちで) 記憶きおくに残のこり気げにかかる。
  4. 強つよく印象いんしょうに残のこり感動かんどうする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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