刺耳 cì’ěr ear-piercing
How to remember 刺耳: 刺 to stab + 耳 ear = ear-piercing.
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How it is used
- Grating to the ear - 刹车声很刺耳 (shāchē shēng hěn cì'ěr) the screech of brakes is ear-piercing.
- Also for words: 刺耳的批评 (harsh, unpleasant criticism) that's hard to hear.
- Parallel to 刺眼 (harsh to the eye); both mark a sensory input as unpleasantly sharp.