adjective HSK 5
ear-piercing · grating · jarring · harsh to the ear
Meaning
刺耳 literally means 'to pierce the ear' and describes sounds that are unpleasant, sharp, or harsh to listen to. It can refer to physically painful high-pitched noises or to words and criticism that are harsh and hard to accept.
Usage
This word is commonly used to describe both literal sounds (like screeching, screaming, or mechanical noises) and figurative speech (harsh criticism or unpleasant words). It carries a negative connotation and is often used in written Chinese as well as spoken language to express discomfort with what one hears.
Examples
- 01轮胎摩擦地面发出刺耳的声音。.The tires rubbing against the ground made an ear-piercing sound.
- 02虽然他的话很刺耳，但说的都是事实。, .Although his words were harsh to hear, everything he said was true.
Characters
Common collocations
- 刺耳的声音ear-piercing sound
- 刺耳的尖叫piercing scream
- 听起来很刺耳sounds very harsh
- 刺耳的批评harsh criticism
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 刺 (to pierce/stab) with 耳 (ear), creating a vivid metaphor for sounds that feel like they are stabbing or piercing the ear.