đường khúc kỉnh
Definition
- Adjective:
- Winding and rough: Describes a path, road, or route that is not straight and has many bends or turns, and is often in poor condition, uneven, or difficult to travel on. It emphasizes both the twisted nature and the physical difficulty of the path.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Con đường khúc kỉnh dẫn lên ngôi làng miền núi. (The winding and rough road leads up to the mountain village.)
- Chúng tôi phải đi bộ trên một lối mòn khúc kỉnh qua khu rừng. (We had to walk on a winding and rugged trail through the forest.)
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe a process or situation that is complicated, not straightforward, and fraught with difficulties.
- Hành trình đến với thành công của cô ấy thật khúc kỉnh. (Her path to success was very winding and fraught with difficulties.)
Variants and Related Words
- Khúc khuỷu (adj): This is a more common variant with the same meaning, describing a road with many sharp bends or a situation full of twists and turns.
- Đường đèo có nhiều khúc cua khúc khuỷu. (The mountain pass has many sharp, winding curves.)
Synonyms
- Winding: Having many bends and turns.
- Tortuous: Full of twists and turns; excessively lengthy and complex.
- Rough: Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth.
- Bumpy: Covered with or full of bumps.
Related Idioms
- While not a direct idiom, the concept is often captured in English phrases like:
- A long and winding road: A difficult, complicated, and lengthy process.
- A bumpy ride: A process or period of time that is full of difficulties and problems.