Translation guide
The English verb 'pierce' covers making a hole in something, penetrating a surface, or a sharp object entering flesh. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being pierced, how, and with what tool.
To create a hole in a flat or thin object using a sharp tool.
General phrase for 'make a hole'. Use with a tool like a needle, drill, or punch.
革に穴を開ける。
Pierce a hole in the leather.
紙にパンチで穴を開けた。
I pierced holes in the paper with a hole punch.
To pierce through something by thrusting, often with a sharp object. Emphasizes going all the way through.
針で布を突き通す。
Pierce the cloth with a needle.
Technical term for 'penetrate' or 'pierce through', used in engineering or formal contexts.
ドリルで金属板を貫通させる。
Pierce through the metal plate with a drill.
A sharp object enters the body, often causing pain or drawing blood.
Most common verb for a sharp object piercing skin or flesh. Covers needles, thorns, insect stings, stabbings.
指に針が刺さった。
A needle pierced my finger.
バラのとげが手に刺さった。
A rose thorn pierced my hand.
To stab or thrust into, implying force. Used for knives, spears, or violent piercing.
To pierce through completely, often used in dramatic or literary contexts (e.g., a sword through the body).
To create a hole in the earlobe or body part for wearing earrings or piercings.
Standard phrase for 'get a piercing' or 'pierce one's ears'. Literally 'open a piercing'.
昨日、耳にピアスを開けた。
I got my ears pierced yesterday.
Loanword from English 'piercing', used as a verb. Common among younger people.
へそをピアッシングしたい。
I want to get my navel pierced.
Something intangible like light, sound, or cold passes through or cuts through the air.
Intransitive verb for something piercing into one's senses or body, like cold or a sharp sound.
冷たい風が肌に突き刺さる。
The cold wind pierces my skin.
彼女の悲鳴が耳に突き刺さった。
Her scream pierced my ears.
For light or sound cutting through darkness or silence, often with a dramatic nuance.
To break through a surface, layer, or defensive line.
To pierce and break through, like a bullet through a wall or a player through a defense.
弾丸が壁を突き破った。
The bullet pierced the wall.
彼は敵の守りを突き破った。
He pierced the enemy's defense.
To penetrate completely, often used for projectiles or tunnels.
弾が鉄板を貫通した。
The bullet pierced through the iron plate.
A feeling deeply affects someone, as if stabbing the heart.
Idiomatic phrase for a sharp emotional pain, like guilt or sorrow piercing the heart.
彼の言葉が胸を刺した。
His words pierced my heart.
Something (words, a scene) pierces one's heart, leaving a strong impression.
その映画のラストシーンが心に突き刺さった。
The final scene of that movie pierced my heart.
刺す is the general verb for piercing with a sharp point (needle, thorn). 突き刺す adds force/thrusting (stabbing). 貫く means to pierce through completely, often used in dramatic or literary contexts.
蜂に刺された。
I was stung by a bee. (pierced by stinger)
槍で敵を突き刺した。
He pierced the enemy with a spear.
光が雲を貫いた。
Light pierced through the clouds.
刺す is for piercing flesh or skin. For making a hole in paper, leather, etc., use 穴を開ける or 突き通す.
ナイフを胸に突き刺した。
He pierced the chest with a knife.
剣が彼の体を貫いた。
The sword pierced through his body.
一筋の光が闇を貫いた。
A beam of light pierced the darkness.