Entry
ちくっと
chikutto
Represents a sudden, brief, and relatively light pricking or stinging sensation.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures a momentary, sharp pain that is highly localized, much like the prick of a needle. It is heavily associated with medical injections, small insect bites, or touching a tiny thorn. The 'っと' suffix highlights the suddenness and brevity of the sensation.
- medical injections
- needle prick
- insect sting
- sudden momentary pain
Sense Map
Needle or Thorn Prick
The sudden, sharp feeling of being poked by a sharp object like a needle, pin, or thorn.
注射がちくっとする
Insect Sting/Bite
The momentary sting and surprise from a mosquito or other small insect bite.
虫に刺されてちくっと痛む
Usage Note
How to Use
ちくっとする
To feel a quick, sharp prick.
ちくっと痛む
To have a momentary, sharp ache.
ちくっと刺す
To pierce or prick something slightly.
ちくっと刺さる
To be pierced briefly by something sharp.
How to Use
Common Phrases
注射がちくっとする
The injection stings slightly
ちくっと痛む
Aches briefly
針がちくっと刺さる
A needle pricks momentarily
指先をちくっと刺す
To prick one's fingertip lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Injections | neutral | Serves as a bedside manner warning to mentally prepare the patient for a shot. |
| Unintentional Poking | negative | Expresses mild surprise and minor pain when accidentally touching a thorn or an insect. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちくちく ちくちく / contrast | Used for continuous or repeated pricking (like a scratchy sweater). | Different from ちくっと, which is a single, momentary prick. | セーターがチクチクする。 |
ぴりっと ぴりっと / contrast | Used for a sharp tingling, electric shock, or spicy sting. | Not used for the physical puncture of a sharp object. | スパイスがピリッと辛い。 |
ひりひり ひりひり / contrast | Used for a broad burning sensation on the skin surface, like a sunburn. | Not for pain focused on a single tiny point. | 日焼けで肌がヒリヒリする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a severe or debilitating injury.
It implies minor, tolerable pain. Severe injuries use different terms like ズキズキ or 激痛.
Confusing it with a burning sensation.
Burning pain uses ヒリヒリ. ちくっと is strictly a sharp, pinpoint prick.
Examples
Examples
注射のとき、少しちくっとしますよ。
ちゅうしゃのとき、すこしちくっとしますよ。
You'll feel a slight prick during the injection.
LiteralThis is a very common phrase spoken by Japanese nurses.
薔薇のトゲが指にちくっと刺さった。
ばらのとげがゆびにちくっとささった。
A rose thorn pricked my finger suddenly.
LiteralDescribes the mild surprise when poked by a sharp point.
蚊に刺されて、腕がちくっと痛んだ。
かにさされて、うでがちくっといたんだ。
Bitten by a mosquito, my arm stung for a moment.
LiteralAlso used for sudden insect bites.
裁縫中に指先を針でちくっと刺してしまった。
さいほうちゅうにゆびさきをはりでちくっとさしてしまった。
I accidentally pricked my fingertip with a needle while sewing.
LiteralIndicates an accidental occurrence.
セーターのタグが首にちくっと当たる。
せーたーのたぐがくびにちくっとあたる。
The sweater tag gives my neck a tiny prickly poke.
LiteralUsed for friction with a stiff but light edge.
Similar Words
チクチク
chikuchiku
チクチク (chikuchiku) describes a repeated, superficial prickling or stinging sensation, or biting remarks that emotionally sting. Chikuchiku is continuous, chikutto is a single prick.
ピリッと
piritto
ピリッと describes a sudden, sharp, and brief stinging or tingling sensation, such as a spicy kick, a mild electric shock, or a suddenly tense atmosphere. For light electric shocks or spiciness, not physical punctures.
ヒリヒリ
hirihiri
Describes a continuous, superficial stinging or burning sensation, typically on the skin or tongue. For broad burning surface pain like sunburn.
ちくり
chikuri
ちくり describes a momentary, sharp prickling or stinging sensation, and is metaphorically used for making biting remarks or tattling on someone.
Questions
Can I use ちくっと for a headache?
No, it represents a surface-level needle prick. For headaches, you should use terms like ズキズキ (throbbing) or ガンガン (pounding).
Why do nurses say 'ちくっとしますよ'?
It is a standard phrase used in Japanese healthcare to soften the impact of the needle prick and mentally prepare the patient.
Is there a verb form?
It is an adverb but heavily pairs with する (to do) to act like a verb, as in ちくっとする (to feel a prick).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2673920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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