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寸鉄人を刺す (すんてつひとをさす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
make a cutting remark ; stab with a short blade
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression; the literal meaning is 'to stab someone with a short blade', but it is almost always used figuratively for delivering a sharp, concise criticism or witty remark.
寸すん 鉄てつ 人ひと を 刺さ す と は 、 短みじか い 言こと 葉ば で 相あい 手て の 急きゅう 所しょ を 突つ く こと だ 。
'Suntetsu hito wo sasu' means to strike at someone's weak point with a short phrase.
Kanji 寸 measurement, tenth of a shaku, a little Similar words 一ひと 言こと 一言 is a neutral 'a word' or 'a brief comment', while 寸鉄人を刺す specifically implies a sharp, critical, or witty remark that hits the mark.
痛つう 烈れつ 痛烈 is an adjective meaning 'scathing' or 'severe', often used to describe criticism, whereas 寸鉄人を刺す is a verb phrase describing the act of making such a remark.
Etymology The phrase originates from the image of a short sword (寸鉄) stabbing a person, metaphorically extended to a short, piercing remark. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a well-established idiomatic expression.
