荆棘

• Pinyin: jīng jí
• Desglose de hanzi: 荆 = 艹 + 刑 — a thorny shrub (Vitex); 棘 = 朿朿 (doubled thorns) — jujube tree, thorns

Significado

Zarzas; matorrales espinosos; espinos (en sentido figurado: obstáculos).

Literally refers to thorny plants like brambles. Frequently used metaphorically to describe obstacles, hardships, or a difficult path. Common in literary and formal contexts. The phrase 披荆斩棘 (to blaze a trail through thorns) is a well-known idiom.

Ejemplos

1. 创业的道路上布满了荆棘，但他从未放弃。
2. 她一路披荆斩棘，终于成为行业领军人物。
3. 小路两旁长满了荆棘，稍不留神就会被刮伤。

Guía de uso

Contexto: literature, metaphor, challenges

Tono: serious

Correcto

• 荆棘丛生。(Thorns growing everywhere.)
• 披荆斩棘。(Blaze a trail through difficulties.)

Incorrecto

• 玫瑰的荆棘 (Don't use 荆棘 for rose thorns — use 刺 instead; 荆棘 refers to thorny shrubs, not individual thorns on flowers)

Origen e historia

Composed of 荆 (a type of thorny shrub) + 棘 (jujube tree; thorns). Both characters refer to thorny plants, together representing brambles and obstacles.

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Literary contexts