Translation guide
The act of piercing food with a skewer, or metaphorically, sharply criticizing someone.
To put food onto a skewer for cooking or serving.
The most common and natural way to say 'to skewer' in the context of food. Literally 'to pierce onto a skewer'.
I skewer the meat and vegetables and grill them.
Noun form meaning 'skewering' or 'putting on a skewer'. Often used in cooking contexts, especially for yakitori.
The task of skewering is surprisingly difficult.
Literally 'skewering' or 'impaling'. Can refer to food, but also used in more violent or metaphorical contexts. For cooking, '串に刺す' is preferred.
Can sound violent if used outside of food contexts.
To subject someone to severe criticism or ridicule, often in a public or pointed manner.
Means 'to criticize severely' or 'to skewer' in a metaphorical sense. A formal and strong expression.
Do not use '串刺し' or '串に刺す' to mean 'criticize'. These are only for physical skewering. For criticism, use expressions like '痛烈に批判する' or 'こき下ろす'.
Grill the skewered meat.
The journalist skewered the minister.
To harshly criticize or tear someone down. More colloquial and vivid than '批判する'.
He skewered the new movie.
Idiom meaning 'to make an example of someone' or 'to single out for criticism'. Literally 'to raise as a target spear'.
He was skewered at the meeting.