ちくちく

ちくちく
adverb
prickling; stinging; stabbing
descriptive
1. prickling; stinging; pricking
Describes a sharp, prickling sensation, like being poked repeatedly.
セーターがちくちくする。
The sweater feels prickly.
喉(のど)がちくちく痛(いた)い。
My throat has a stinging pain.
このセーターはちくちくする。
This sweater is prickly.
2. sewing; stitching (repeated small stitches)
The action of continuous small stitches, as in hand-sewing.
ちくちくと縫(ぬ)い物(もの)をする。
To sew with small stitches.
ちくちくと嫌味(いやみ)を言(い)う。
To make snide remarks.
彼(かれ)の言葉(ことば)がちくちく胸(むね)に刺(さ)さった。
His words stung my heart.

ちくちく is an onomatopoeic word describing repeated small, sharp sensations — like being pricked by needles.

Common collocations

  • ちくちくする: to feel prickly (a sweater, grass)
  • ちくちく痛(いた)む: to have a stinging pain (throat, wound)

USAGE (sewing):

Usage

Also describes biting or hurtful words: ちくちく言(い)う (to make snide remarks), 言葉(ことば)がちくちく刺(さ)さる (words that sting). This figurative meaning comes from the sense of being pricked repeatedly.

Similar words

Related Words

Related: ひりひり (stinging, burning)
Related: じんじん (tingling, numbness)
Related: ずきずき (throbbing (pain))
Compare: きりきり (sharp pain)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.10.11 3:33
05000/05372_chikuchiku