Translation guide
The English word "prick" has several distinct meanings: a sharp poke or sting, a feeling of sharp pain or guilt, a small hole made by a sharp point, and a vulgar slang term for penis or an obnoxious person. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each sense, from physical actions to emotional sensations, and includes warnings about the slang usage.
Expressing the action of piercing or puncturing something with a sharp point, like a needle or thorn.
General verb for 'to pierce', 'to sting', or 'to prick'. Used for needles, thorns, insect stings, etc.
I accidentally pricked my finger with a needle.
A rose thorn pricked my hand.
Means 'to poke' or 'to prod'. Can be used for pricking with a sharp object, but less specific than 刺す.
I pricked the food with a toothpick.
Onomatopoeic adverb + 刺す, emphasizing a quick, light prick. Often used for injections or small stings.
I got a little prick from the injection.
Describing a sudden sharp pain, like from a needle or thorn, or a tingling sensation.
Phrase meaning 'to feel a prick' or 'to have a sharp pain'. Very common for describing minor stings.
I felt a sharp prick of pain in my finger.
Literally 'piercing-like pain'. Used for sharp, stabbing pains.
I had a sharp, pricking pain in my chest.
Onomatopoeia for a sharp, tingling sensation, like from static electricity or a mild sting.
My finger got a little prick from static electricity.
Expressing a sudden pang of conscience or guilt, often described as a 'prick of conscience'.
Formal term for 'pangs of conscience' or 'remorse'. Used in serious contexts.
He suffered from the pricks of conscience.
Colloquial expression meaning 'to feel a twinge of guilt'. Literally 'heart does a prick'.
After telling a lie, I felt a prick of guilt.
Means 'to be tormented by guilt'. Stronger than a mere prick; implies ongoing guilt.
He is pricked by guilt.
Referring to the tiny puncture itself, like a pinprick or needle hole.
Literally 'needle hole'. Refers to a small hole made by a needle or pin.
A prick hole appeared in the cloth.
Means 'puncture wound'. Can be used for a prick from a thorn or needle, though often implies a deeper wound.
Loanword 'pinhole'. Used in technical contexts like photography or manufacturing.
The vulgar slang term for penis. Use with extreme caution; highly offensive in most contexts.
Vulgar slang for penis, similar in offensiveness to 'prick' or 'dick'. Not used in polite conversation.
This is a highly offensive term. Avoid using unless you are fully aware of the social context and potential consequences.
He's just an obnoxious prick.
Another vulgar slang term for penis, slightly less harsh than ちんぽ but still very crude.
Still vulgar and inappropriate in formal or polite settings.
Using 'prick' as a derogatory term for a person, typically a man, who is arrogant, rude, or unpleasant.
General term for 'unpleasant guy'. Not as vulgar as 'prick', but conveys dislike. Can be used in casual speech.
That guy is a real prick.
Strong insult meaning 'shitty bastard'. Closer in vulgarity to 'prick' but more general.
Very offensive. Use only in extreme anger or among very close friends who tolerate such language.
That prick lied again.
Means 'irritating guy'. Less vulgar, more like 'jerk' or 'annoying person'.
He's always such a prick.
The English word 'prick' as slang for penis or a contemptible person is highly vulgar. Direct Japanese equivalents like ちんぽ or クソ野郎 are equally offensive and should be avoided in polite conversation. When translating the insult sense, consider using milder terms like 嫌な奴 unless the context demands strong vulgarity.
刺す (sasu) specifically implies piercing with a sharp point, like a needle or thorn. 突く (tsuku) is a more general poking or prodding action, which may or may not break the skin. For 'prick' in the sense of a small puncture, 刺す is usually more accurate.
I pricked my finger on a needle.
He felt a prick of conscience.
Don't be such a prick.
This translation uses a milder term; a more vulgar equivalent would be そんなクソ野郎になるな, but that is extremely offensive.
とげで刺し傷ができた。
I got a prick wound from a thorn.
フィルムにピンホールがあった。
There was a pinhole (prick) in the film.
彼はちんこを見せびらかした。
He flashed his prick.