荆棘 jīngjí thistles and thorns
thistles and thorns; brambles; thorny undergrowth
How to remember 荆棘: 荆 thorns + 棘 thorny = thistles and thorns.
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How it is used
- Thorns and brambles - literal and figurative obstacles - 披荆斩棘 (pī jīng zhǎn jí) to cut through thorns and briars (overcome all obstacles).
- The famous idiom 披荆斩棘 makes 荆棘 a metaphor for the hardships blocking one's path.
- Literary register; 荆棘丛生 = overgrown with thorns / full of difficulties.