1.
thorn, spine, prickle
A sharp, pointed projection on a plant, such as a rose thorn or cactus spine.
バラには棘がある。
Roses have thorns.
サボテンの棘に触らないで。
Don't touch the cactus spines.
庭の手入れをしていたら、棘のある枝で手を切ってしまった。
While tending the garden, I cut my hand on a thorny branch.
2.
splinter
A small, sharp fragment of wood or similar material that becomes embedded in the skin.
指に棘が刺さった。
I got a splinter in my finger.
木の棘を抜くのに苦労した。
I had a hard time removing the wooden splinter.
古い板を触ったら棘が刺さるから気をつけて。
Be careful — you'll get a splinter if you touch the old board.
3.
barb, sting (figurative)
A sharp, hurtful quality in someone's words or manner. Used figuratively to describe speech or behavior that is cutting or hostile.
あの人の言葉には棘がある。
That person's words have a sting to them.
棘のある言い方はやめてほしい。
I wish you'd stop speaking in such a barbed way.
彼女は笑顔で話していたが、どこか棘を感じた。
She was smiling as she spoke, but I sensed a barb somewhere.
USAGE:
Often written in hiragana (とげ) rather than kanji, as the kanji 棘 is not commonly used. The expression 棘のある言葉 (barbed words) or 棘のある言い方 (barbed way of speaking) is a common figurative usage.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 棘が刺さる: to get a thorn/splinter stuck
- 棘を抜く: to pull out a thorn/splinter
- 棘のある言葉: barbed words
- 棘のある言い方: barbed way of speaking