如鲠在喉

如鯁在喉

rúgěng-zàihóu

idiom

Meanings

1 like a fish bone stuck in the throat
2 having something on one's chest that must be said
3 unable to stay silent

Characters

Examples

HSK 2

这件事让我如鲠在喉，不说不快。

Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ rúgěng-zàihóu, bù shuō búkuài.

This matter sits in my throat like a bone - I can't rest until I say it.

HSK 3

他心里有话如鲠在喉，终于开口了。

Tā xīnlǐ yǒu huà rúgěng-zàihóu, zhōngyú kāikǒu le.

The words were stuck in his throat; at last he spoke.

Tips

memory

鲠 (gěng) has 鱼 (fish) on the left - literally the fish bone lodged in your throat.

Stroke Order

如 rú

鲠 gěng

在 zài

喉 hóu