Common Meanings
1
cì刺
to prick, to stab, to pierce with a pointed object
他不小心被针刺伤了手指。
He accidentally pricked his finger with a needle.
to assassinate; to stab (often with intent to kill); refers to an assassin or an assassination attempt.
传说中，那名刺客曾试图行刺一位权贵。
Legend has it that the assassin once tried to assassinate a powerful dignitary.
To inquire or probe into, to spy on or gather information covertly.
他们试图刺探竞争对手的商业机密。
They tried to probe into their competitor's business secrets.
To criticize, mock, or satirize someone or something with sharp, pointed words; to ridicule.
他的话语充满了讽刺，让大家都很不舒服。
His words were full of sarcasm, making everyone quite uncomfortable.
A sharp, needle-like object; a thorn, prickle, or bone (e.g., a fish bone).
吃鱼的时候要小心鱼刺。
Be careful of fish bones when eating fish.
2
cī刺
Onomatopoeia: 'cī' describes a sudden slipping or friction sound.
他脚底一滑，刺溜一声摔了个大跟头。
He slipped, and with a 'cī liū' sound, took a big tumble.