刺耳

• Pinyin: cì ěr
• Hanzi breakdown: 刺 = 朿 (thorn) + 刂 (knife, to pierce); 耳 = ear

Meaning

Ear-piercing; grating; harsh to the ear. Describes sounds that are unpleasant, sharp, or jarring.

Used for physically unpleasant sounds (screeching, high-pitched noises) or figuratively for harsh words or criticism that's painful to hear. The literal image is of something 'stabbing the ear.'

Examples

1. 刹车发出刺耳的尖叫声，吓得路人纷纷躲避。 The brakes let out an ear-piercing screech, causing pedestrians to scatter in fright.
2. 他的话虽然刺耳，但句句说到了点子上。 His words were harsh to hear, but every sentence hit the nail on the head.
3. 装修的电钻声太刺耳了，我根本没法集中精力工作。 The sound of the electric drill from the renovation is so grating that I can't concentrate on work at all.

Usage Guide

Context: sounds, criticism, description

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 那声音太刺耳了，我受不了。(That sound is so grating — I can't stand it.)
• 忠言逆耳，有时候刺耳的话反而是为你好。(Honest advice is hard to hear; sometimes harsh words are actually for your own good.)

Don't Say

• 这首歌很刺耳好听 (Contradictory — 刺耳 is inherently negative, can't combine with 好听)

Origin & History

Compound of 刺 (to pierce, stab) + 耳 (ear). Literally 'piercing the ear,' describing the effect of harsh sounds.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal