刺 means “stab, pierce, sting”

さす · sasu

Also: thorn, prick

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): さす, ささる, さし, とげ
On'yomi (Chinese reading): シ

JLPT N2 · Taught in secondary school · 8 strokes

The story

A thorny branch (朿) beside a blade (刂): two ways to draw blood. 刺す is to stab or sting, 刺身 is sliced raw fish, and a 名刺, the business card, is offered with both hands and a bow at every first meeting.

Used in 刺す (sasu, to stab/sting), 刺身 (sashimi, sliced raw fish), and 名刺 (meishi, business card)

刺 means “stab, pierce, sting”

The story

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