Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Thorny; prickly; spiky: Literally describes something covered with or resembling thorns, spines, or sharp points.
   • Difficult; tricky; knotty: Figuratively describes a problem, situation, or issue that is complex, challenging, and hard to solve.
   • Prickly; difficult: Describes a person who is hard to get along with, easily irritated, or makes others feel uncomfortable.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Literal):

  • Cây xương rồng này rất gai góc. (This cactus is very thorny.)
  • Anh ta vướng phải một bụi cây gai góc. (He got caught in a prickly bush.)

• Adjective (Figurative - Problem):

  • Đây là một vấn đề gai góc cần giải quyết cẩn thận. (This is a thorny issue that needs careful resolution.)
  • Cuộc đàm phán gặp phải nhiều điểm gai góc. (The negotiation encountered many tricky points.)

• Adjective (Figurative - Person):

  • Tính cách anh ấy hơi gai góc nên ít bạn. (His personality is a bit prickly, so he has few friends.)
  • Bà ấy là một nhà phê bình gai góc. (She is a difficult critic.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to metaphorically describe obstacles or hardships in life's journey.
  • Anh ấy đã trải qua nhiều gai góc để đạt được thành công. (He went through many thorns [hardships] to achieve success.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gai (n): A thorn, spine, or spike.

  • Tôi bị gai đâm vào tay. (I got a thorn stuck in my hand.)

• Đầy gai góc (adj phrase): Full of thorns; riddled with difficulties.

  • Con đường phía trước còn đầy gai góc. (The road ahead is still full of thorns [difficulties].)

Synonyms

• Thorny: Having thorns; (of a problem) complicated.
• Prickly: Covered with prickles; easily irritated.
• Knotty: Intricately complex and difficult.
• Difficult: Hard to deal with or understand.

Related Idioms

• Gai góc trên đường đời: The thorns on life's path. This idiom refers to the inevitable difficulties and challenges one faces in life.
  • Ai cũng phải đối mặt với những gai góc trên đường đời. (Everyone must face the thorns on life's path.)

adj

1. thorny; prichly
2. (hình ảnh) difficulties