Meaning

Primary

To Stab

Alternatives

To Poke, To Jab

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means stab so the verb vocab version must also be to stab.

Wondering how it's different from 刺す? 突く refers to the act of pushing or pressing something with a tip of an object, often done forcefully and swiftly. So when you use 突く as in "to stab," your focus is on the forcefulness of the action. On the other hand, 刺す focuses more on the actual act of piercing into something or someone with a sharp thing.

This is why 突く can be be translated many ways, like to poke, to jab, and many more.

Reading

つく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

If you're going to get stabbed, don't get stabbed two () times. You can remember that this is the "two time stab" stab because it has a hole that's big. The hole is big because you got stabbed twice.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • フォークで突く

    to poke with a fork

    ペン先で突く

    to poke with the tip of a pen

    ハリで突く

    to prick with a needle

    指で突く

    to poke with a finger

Context Sentences

ヒジで突くの、やめてくれない?

Will you stop poking me with your elbow?

目を突いたら危ないから、気をつけてね!

Be careful not to poke an eye—it's dangerous!

フェンシングのフルーレで突かれたこと、ありますか?

Have you ever gotten stabbed with a fencing fleurette?

「それじゃあ、いくらお金があれば幸せになれるっていうの?」 「う~ん。いたいところを突かれたな。」

"Well then, how much money do you need to be happy?" "Ah. You really hit a sore spot there."

Kanji Composition