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'.
肉と野菜を串に刺して焼きます。
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.
串打ちの作業は意外と難しい。
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.
記者は大臣を痛烈に批判した。
The journalist skewered the minister.
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'.
串刺しにされた肉を焼く。
Grill the skewered meat.
To harshly criticize or tear someone down. More colloquial and vivid than '批判する'.
彼は新作映画をこき下ろした。
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'.
彼は会議でやり玉に挙げられた。
He was skewered at the meeting.