Translation guide
The sensation or act of a sharp, pointed object lightly piercing the skin, or a similar stinging feeling. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific verbs, nouns, and mimetic words depending on the context.
Describing a sharp, needle-like pain or tingling sensation, often on the skin.
Mimetic word for a prickling or tingling sensation, often used for skin irritation or mild pain.
The sweater feels prickly.
My throat has a prickling pain.
Literally 'stabbing-like pain', used for sharp, piercing pain.
A pricking pain shot through me.
Mimetic word for a tingling or smarting sensation, often from irritation or spice.
The action of making a small hole or mark with a needle, thorn, etc.
General verb for 'to prick' or 'to sting'. Can be used for needles, thorns, insects.
I pricked my finger with a needle.
A rose thorn pricked me.
To poke or prod, can imply a light pricking action.
Adverbial phrase emphasizing a quick, light prick.
I got a little prick from a mosquito.
A metaphorical sharp feeling, like a pang of conscience.
チクチク is more like repeated tiny pricks (e.g., from wool), while ピリピリ is a continuous tingling or smarting (e.g., from spicy food or chapped lips).
This sweater is prickly, isn't it?
When I eat spicy food, my tongue tingles.
唇がピリピリする。
My lips are tingling/prickling.
Prick the cloth with a needle.