くすぐる

く

す

ぐ

る

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

くすぐる · godan verb (-ru)

Meanings

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Physical tickling, causing a tingling sensation.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use: to stimulate a feeling or desire, often in a playful or light way. Common with nouns like 好奇心, 自尊心, 興味.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

To delight or amuse someone, often by telling jokes or doing funny things. Overlaps with making someone laugh.

〈人ひと〉をくすぐるto tickle someone (physically)
弟おとうとの足あしをくすぐったら大おお笑わらいした。
I tickled my little brother's foot and he burst out laughing.
好こう奇き心しんをくすぐるto pique someone's curiosity
その広こう告こくのキャッチコピーは消しょう費ひ者しゃの好こう奇き心しんをくすぐった。
The ad's catchphrase piqued consumers' curiosity.
自じ尊そん心しんをくすぐるto flatter someone's pride
上じょう司しの褒ほめ言こと葉ばは彼かれの自じ尊そん心しんをくすぐった。
His boss's praise flattered his pride.
〈物もの〉が鼻はなをくすぐるfor a smell to tickle one's nose (pleasantly)
パンの香かおりが鼻はなをくすぐった。
The smell of bread tickled my nose.

笑わらわせる sense 3
笑わせる means simply 'to make someone laugh', while くすぐる (sense 3) implies a lighter, more playful teasing amusement that may or may not result in actual laughter.
刺し激げきN3sense 2
刺激する is a neutral, broad word for 'to stimulate' (a feeling, nerve, or sense), whereas くすぐる (sense 2) specifically suggests a gentle, pleasurable poking at curiosity or pride.

くすぐったいN1sense 1
くすぐったい is the adjective describing the ticklish sensation itself, while くすぐる is the verb meaning 'to tickle (someone)'.

くすぐるUsage95%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 擽る is rare.
擽くすぐるUsage4%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.
擽くすぐるUsage<1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not used in modern writing.

The origin is uncertain. Possibly related to the mimetic word くすぐったい (ticklish). The kanji 擽 is rarely used and its historical connection is unclear.