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How to Say ‘Is it a sharp, stabbing feeling?’ in Japanese

キリキリする感じですか。

kirikiri suru kanji desu ka

[kee-ree-KEE-ree soo-roo kahn-jee dess kah]

💬 Usage Tip: Japanese describes pain with sound-like words plus する. キリキリ means a sharp, twisting pain, and ズキズキ (zukizuki) means "throbbing".

Phrase Breakdown

キリキリする

kirikiri suru

to have a sharp, stabbing pain

キリキリ is a sound-symbolic word for sharp, piercing pain. The Japanese r is a light tap: ki-ri-ki-ri.

Example

お腹がキリキリする。

My stomach has a sharp pain.

Words in this phrase

キリキリ

kirikiri

[kee-ree-KEE-ree]

sharp, stabbing (pain)

Onomatopoeia for a sharp, piercing or twisting pain.

Example

お腹がキリキリ痛みます。

My stomach has a sharp pain.

する

suru

[soo-roo]

to do

A very common verb meaning 'to do' that combines with many nouns.

Example

面接の前に準備をする。

I do preparation before the interview.

感じですか。

kanji desu ka

does it feel like…?

感じ means 'feeling' or 'sense'. It is used to ask about the nature of a sensation.

Example

こんな感じですか。

Is it like this?

Words in this phrase

感じ

kanji

[kahn-jee]

feeling; impression; sense

Often used to ask about the general vibe or impression of something.

Example

職場はどんな感じですか。

What is the workplace like?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

ka

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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