‘针刺’ literally means ‘needle puncture’—‘针’ (zhēn) means ‘needle’, and ‘刺’ (cì) means ‘to pierce’ or ‘to stab’. Together, they form a compound noun referring specifically to the traditional Chinese medical practice of acupuncture, where thin sterile needles are inserted into precise points on the body to regulate qi (vital energy) and treat various physical and mental conditions. While the term can technically describe any needle puncture (e.g., in lab work), in everyday usage it almost always refers to therapeutic acupuncture.

The word is formal and clinical in tone, commonly used in medical contexts, health discussions, and wellness settings. It appears in terms like 针刺疗法 (zhēn cì liáo fǎ, ‘acupuncture therapy’) and is distinct from broader terms like 中医 (zhōng yī, ‘TCM’) or 推拿 (tuī ná, ‘Tui Na massage’). Unlike colloquial expressions such as 打针 (dǎ zhēn, ‘getting an injection’), 针刺 emphasizes precision, technique, and holistic intent rather than simple administration of medicine.