Meanings of 棘手
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Podcast: 棘手
Podcast: 棘手
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AI Study Notes for 棘手
棘手 (jíshǒu) vs 难处理 (nán chǔlǐ) — use 棘手 when emphasizing the complexity or 'thorniness' of a problem, while 难处理 focuses more on the difficulty of handling it.
Be cautious not to confuse 棘手 with other similar terms like 困难 (kùn nán), which means 'difficult' but is more general. This word is often used in professional or academic settings to describe complex issues, so it’s appropriate for both formal and informal discussions.
While 棘手 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners at an intermediate level (HSK 3-4) to recognize it in reading materials about problem-solving. Focus on its usage in context to better understand how it can describe various challenging situations.
Learners often confuse 棘手 with 复杂 (fù zá), which means 'complex.' A common mistake is saying '这个问题很复杂' (zhège wèntí hěn fù zá) instead of '这个问题很棘手.' Remember, 棘手 emphasizes the difficulty in handling a problem.
Pronunciation of 棘手
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Component Characters
How to say thorny (problem) in Chinese
“thorny (problem)” in Chinese is棘手
The term 棘手 (jí shǒu) refers to a problem or situation that is difficult to handle or resolve, often described as 'thorny.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss issues that require careful consideration or are complicated due to their nature.
When to use 棘手
Be cautious not to confuse 棘手 with other similar terms like 困难 (kùn nán), which means 'difficult' but is more general. This word is often used in professional or academic settings to describe complex issues, so it’s appropriate for both formal and informal discussions.
棘手 or something close to it
棘手 (jíshǒu) vs 难处理 (nán chǔlǐ) — use 棘手 when emphasizing the complexity or 'thorniness' of a problem, while 难处理 focuses more on the difficulty of handling it.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 棘手 with 复杂 (fù zá), which means 'complex.' A common mistake is saying '这个问题很复杂' (zhège wèntí hěn fù zá) instead of '这个问题很棘手.' Remember, 棘手 emphasizes the difficulty in handling a problem.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 棘手
Yes, it can be used in both casual and formal conversations, especially when discussing complex issues.
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