also: こり
noun
muscle stiffness; knot in the shoulder
Refers to physical stiffness or a knot in muscles, especially in the shoulders and neck. Often used in the context of massage or relaxation.
肩の凝りがひどくて、マッサージに行った。
The stiffness in my shoulders was so bad that I went for a massage.
長時間のデスクワークで首に凝りができた。
I got a knot in my neck from long hours of desk work.
noun
lump; swelling; hardening; lesion
Only with reading しこり
Medical term for a palpable lump or hardening in body tissue, especially in the breast. Usually written in kana.
乳房にしこりを感じたら、すぐに医者に診てもらうべきだ。
If you feel a lump in your breast, you should see a doctor immediately.
noun
lingering discomfort; uneasiness; bad aftertaste
Only with reading しこり
Metaphorical use describing a persistent feeling of unease, resentment, or dissatisfaction that remains after an event. Often used in the phrase 心のしこり.
あの時の言葉がまだ心のしこりになっている。
Those words from back then still linger as a feeling of unease in my heart.
話し合いでお互いのしこりを解消
We cleared up our mutual bad feelings through discussion.
Kana spelling is usual for the medical lump sense and the metaphorical uneasiness sense.
Rarely used abbreviated kanji form; not recommended for learners.
Abbreviated kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.
Abbreviated kanji form with the reading こり; very rare.
Rarely used kanji form; not recommended for learners.
Noun form of the verb 凝る (こる), meaning 'to become stiff' or 'to congeal'. The reading しこり is an irregular shift from こり, possibly influenced by sound symbolism or historical phonetic changes.