Translation guide
The English word "prick" has several distinct meanings: a sharp poke or sting, a feeling of sharp pain or guilt, a small hole made by a sharp point, and a vulgar slang term for penis or an obnoxious person. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each sense, from physical actions to emotional sensations, and includes warnings about the slang usage.
Expressing the action of piercing or puncturing something with a sharp point, like a needle or thorn.
General verb for 'to pierce', 'to sting', or 'to prick'. Used for needles, thorns, insect stings, etc.
針で指を刺してしまった。
I accidentally pricked my finger with a needle.
バラのとげが手に刺さった。
A rose thorn pricked my hand.
Means 'to poke' or 'to prod'. Can be used for pricking with a sharp object, but less specific than 刺す.
つまようじでつまんだものを突いた。
I pricked the food with a toothpick.
Onomatopoeic adverb + 刺す, emphasizing a quick, light prick. Often used for injections or small stings.
注射でちくっと刺された。
I got a little prick from the injection.
Describing a sudden sharp pain, like from a needle or thorn, or a tingling sensation.
Phrase meaning 'to feel a prick' or 'to have a sharp pain'. Very common for describing minor stings.
指にちくっとした痛みが走った。
I felt a sharp prick of pain in my finger.
Literally 'piercing-like pain'. Used for sharp, stabbing pains.
刺すような痛みが胸にあった。
I had a sharp, pricking pain in my chest.
Onomatopoeia for a sharp, tingling sensation, like from static electricity or a mild sting.
静電気で指がピリッとした。
My finger got a little prick from static electricity.
Expressing a sudden pang of conscience or guilt, often described as a 'prick of conscience'.
Formal term for 'pangs of conscience' or 'remorse'. Used in serious contexts.
彼は良心の呵責に苦しんだ。
He suffered from the pricks of conscience.
Colloquial expression meaning 'to feel a twinge of guilt'. Literally 'heart does a prick'.
嘘をついた後、心がチクッとした。
After telling a lie, I felt a prick of guilt.
Means 'to be tormented by guilt'. Stronger than a mere prick; implies ongoing guilt.
彼は罪悪感にさいなまれている。
He is pricked by guilt.
Referring to the tiny puncture itself, like a pinprick or needle hole.
Literally 'needle hole'. Refers to a small hole made by a needle or pin.
布に針穴が開いた。
A prick hole appeared in the cloth.
Means 'puncture wound'. Can be used for a prick from a thorn or needle, though often implies a deeper wound.
Loanword 'pinhole'. Used in technical contexts like photography or manufacturing.
The vulgar slang term for penis. Use with extreme caution; highly offensive in most contexts.
Vulgar slang for penis, similar in offensiveness to 'prick' or 'dick'. Not used in polite conversation.
This is a highly offensive term. Avoid using unless you are fully aware of the social context and potential consequences.
彼はただの嫌なちんぽ野郎だ。
He's just an obnoxious prick.
Another vulgar slang term for penis, slightly less harsh than ちんぽ but still very crude.
Still vulgar and inappropriate in formal or polite settings.
Using 'prick' as a derogatory term for a person, typically a man, who is arrogant, rude, or unpleasant.
General term for 'unpleasant guy'. Not as vulgar as 'prick', but conveys dislike. Can be used in casual speech.
あいつは本当に嫌な奴だ。
That guy is a real prick.
Strong insult meaning 'shitty bastard'. Closer in vulgarity to 'prick' but more general.
Very offensive. Use only in extreme anger or among very close friends who tolerate such language.
あのクソ野郎がまた嘘をついた。
That prick lied again.
Means 'irritating guy'. Less vulgar, more like 'jerk' or 'annoying person'.
彼はいつもムカつく奴だ。
He's always such a prick.
The English word 'prick' as slang for penis or a contemptible person is highly vulgar. Direct Japanese equivalents like ちんぽ or クソ野郎 are equally offensive and should be avoided in polite conversation. When translating the insult sense, consider using milder terms like 嫌な奴 unless the context demands strong vulgarity.
刺す (sasu) specifically implies piercing with a sharp point, like a needle or thorn. 突く (tsuku) is a more general poking or prodding action, which may or may not break the skin. For 'prick' in the sense of a small puncture, 刺す is usually more accurate.
針で指を刺した。
I pricked my finger on a needle.
彼は良心の呵責を感じた。
He felt a prick of conscience.
そんな嫌な奴になるな。
Don't be such a prick.
This translation uses a milder term; a more vulgar equivalent would be そんなクソ野郎になるな, but that is extremely offensive.
I got a prick wound from a thorn.
フィルムにピンホールがあった。
There was a pinhole (prick) in the film.
He flashed his prick.