Definition
扎手 is a stative verb (s.v.) that literally means 'prickly to the touch' — something that pricks your hand when you grab it, like a cactus or a hedgehog. Figuratively, it describes a problem or situation that is 'thorny' or 'tricky to handle', much like the English 'sticky situation'. The word is used both literally for physical objects and metaphorically for difficult tasks.
s.v.
prickly (to the touch)thorny(figurative) trickythorny (of a problem or situation)
Examples
- 扎手，。Zhè zhǒng xiānrénzhǎng hěn zā, xiǎoxīn bié pèng dào.This kind of cactus is very prickly — be careful not to touch it.
- 扎手，。Zhège ànzi hěn zā, lián lǎo lǜshī dōu juéde nán bàn.This case is very thorny — even the veteran lawyer finds it hard to handle.
- ，，扎手。Bié pèng nà gēn shùzhī, shàngmiàn yǒu cì, hěn zā.Don't touch that branch — it has thorns and is very prickly.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.