棘 (jí) — (bound form) thorn, thorns; (bound form) thorny…

Definition

棘 is a bound form (语素) that only appears in compound words. It has two related senses: a literal meaning 'thorn(s)' in words like 荆棘 (brambles), and a figurative meaning 'thorny, difficult' in words like 棘手 (troublesome problem). It is not used as an independent word.

b.f.

(bound form) thornthorns(bound form) thornydifficult (figurative)

Examples

。
Zhè tiáo xiǎo lù chángmǎn le jīng jí.
This path is overgrown with thorns.
。
Zhège wèntí hěn jí shǒu.
This problem is very thorny.
。
Rénshēng chōngmǎn le jīng jí.
Life is full of thorns (difficulties).

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