荆棘

荊棘

jīngjí

noun HSK 7-9 #16,928

Meanings

1 thorns
2 brambles
3 difficulties and obstacles

Characters

chaste tree; thorn bush

thorns; brambles

Examples

HSK 6

前方的道路布满荆棘。

Qiánfāng de dàolù bùmǎn jīngjí.

The road ahead is full of thorns.

HSK 7-9

他们冲破重重荆棘，终于成功了。

Tāmen chōngpò chóngchóng jīngjí, zhōngyú chénggōng le.

They broke through obstacle after obstacle and finally succeeded.

Tips

usage

Often used metaphorically for difficulties and hardships on life's path. 披荆斩棘 (to cut through thorns) is a common idiom meaning to overcome obstacles.

Stroke Order

荆 jīng

棘 jí