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

前方的道路布满荆棘。

Qiánfāng de dàolù bùmǎn jīngjí.

The road ahead is full of thorns.

他们披荆斩棘，终于成功了。

Tāmen pījīng-zhǎnjí, zhōngyú chénggōng le.

They overcame all obstacles 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