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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "tricky" or "troublesome" with 棘手 (jíshǒu)

    Degree & Intensity
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    棘手 + 的 + Noun

    Explanation

    The adjective 棘手 (jíshǒu) means "tricky," "thorny," or "troublesome," describing a situation or problem that is difficult to handle. It is often used to describe cases, issues, or tasks. For example, 棘手的案子 means "a tricky case."

    Examples

    • 这个问题很棘手,需要大家一起想办法。

      Zhège wèntí hěn jíshǒu, xūyào dàjiā yīqǐ xiǎng bànfǎ.

      This problem is very thorny and requires everyone to think of a solution together.

    • 他遇到了一个棘手的技术难题。

      Tā yù dào le yī gè jíshǒu de jìshù nántí.

      He encountered a thorny technical problem.

    • 处理邻居之间的矛盾是件棘手的事。

      Chǔlǐ línjū zhījiān de máodùn shì jiàn jíshǒu de shì.

      Dealing with conflicts between neighbors is a thorny matter.

    Expressing "tricky" or "troublesome" with 棘手 (jíshǒu) | Chinese Grammar