刺す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 刺す (さす) adds okurigana す to piercing 刺, forming a transitive verb for piercing or stinging.
• Basic usage: It describes a needle puncturing cloth and a bee stinging a person's arm.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Agentive piercing and passive sting
  • 針で刺す presents the user of a tool, while 蜂に刺される presents the affected person in the passive.