荆棘 (jīng jí) — thorns, brambles; thorny undergrowth
Definition
Literary word for 'thorns and brambles' (荆 + 棘, two kinds of thorny plants), used as a metaphor for hardships and obstacles on life's path — stronger and more poetic than the everyday 刺 or 杂草.
noun
thornsbramblesthorny undergrowth
Examples
- 荆棘，。Sēn lín lǐ yǒu hěn duō jīng jí, zǒu lù yào xiǎo xīn.There are many brambles in the forest; be careful when walking.
- 荆棘，。Chuàng yè de lù shang chōng mǎn le jīng jí, dàn wǒ men yào jiān chí.The path of entrepreneurship is full of thorns, but we must persevere.
- 荆棘，。Tā bō kāi jīng jí, jì xù qián jìn.He pushed aside the brambles and continued forward.
Appears in
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