ひりひり

ひりひり is a mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) describing a sharp, burning or stinging sensation on the skin or mucous membranes. It implies continuous, surface-level pain rather than deep aching.

Common patterns

• ひりひりする: to sting, to smart
• ひりひり痛(いた)む: to sting painfully
• ひりひりした痛(いた)み: a stinging pain

Typical causes

• 日焼(ひや)け (sunburn)
• 辛(から)い食(た)べ物(もの) (spicy food)
• 切(き)り傷(きず) or 擦(す)り傷(きず) (cuts or scrapes)
• アルコール消毒(しょうどく) (alcohol disinfection)

Similar words

• ちくちく: prickling, stabbing (needles, thorns)
• ぴりぴり: tingling, numbing (spicy food, nerve pain)
• じんじん: throbbing, numbing (cold hands, bruises)