Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 棘 | toge | [to̞ɡe̞] (narrow) [iba̠ɾa̠] (narrow) |
|
| 刺 | toge | [to̞ɡe̞] (narrow) [sa̠ɕi] (narrow) |
|
| 茨 | toge | [iba̠ɾa̠] (narrow) [ɯ̟ba̠ɾa̠] (narrow) |
|
| 荊 | toge | alternative form |
The word refers to the sharp protective structures of plants. The term togetoge (とげとげ) can be used to describe any object or situation that has a pointed or prickly nature.
Which one should you use?
While the spoken word is the same, the written forms vary by context. The form 刺 is commonly used to refer to a small, sharp splinter or a sting that enters the skin. In contrast, the form 棘 is more frequently used in a botanical context to describe the natural thorns or spines of a plant. Additionally, 茨 can carry metaphorical meanings in literary contexts, such as representing an obstacle or difficulty.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 茨 is noted as regional. The form 荊 is an alternative spelling of 茨.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the kanji vary, the word is most commonly written in hiragana as とげ in everyday text.
How do you pronounce it?
toge
Did you know?
- The kanji 刺 was borrowed from Middle Chinese, whereas the word 茨 is derived from native Old Japanese.
Examples in context
- 指にとげが刺さって取れないんだ。There's a thorn in my finger and I can't get it out.This sentence is useful for describing a splinter or thorn stuck in a finger using the form 刺.Tatoeba #892489 by bunbuku, translation #892630 by Scott
- 喉に刺さった棘の如く。Like a thorn stuck in your throat.This sentence is useful for using the form 刺 in a metaphorical comparison.Tatoeba #344764 by zhouj1955, translation #416872 by Scott
- そのバラの茨に刺されました。I got pricked by the thorn of that rose.
- このとげとげの道を通るのは危ないよ。It's dangerous to walk through this thorny path.
- バラの棘に注意してください。Bara no toge ni chuui shite kudasai.Please be careful of the rose thorns.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are gardening together.
- 結衣 Yui健太、気をつけて。その植物に棘があるよ。Kenta, ki o tsukete. Sono shokubutsu ni toge ga aru yo.Be careful, Kenta. That plant has thorns.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。危うく触るところだった。Hontō da. Ayauku sawaru tokoro datta.You're right. I almost touched it.
- 結衣 Yui手袋をはめて作業しよう。Tebukuro o hamete sagyō shiyō.Let's wear gloves while we work.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。ありがとう、結衣。Sō da ne. Arigatō, Yui.Good idea. Thanks, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thorn” translations and entries 棘, 刺, 茨, 荊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 刺, 棘, 茨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
