棘(とげ)

とげ
noun
thorn, splinter, barb
plant-generalnature
1. thorn, spine, prickle
A sharp, pointed projection on a plant, such as a rose thorn or cactus spine.
バラには棘(とげ)がある。
Roses have thorns.
サボテンの棘(とげ)に触(さわ)らないで。
Don't touch the cactus spines.
庭(にわ)の手入(てい)れをしていたら、棘(とげ)のある枝(えだ)で手(て)を切(き)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(ゆび)に棘(とげ)が刺(さ)さった。
I got a splinter in my finger.
木(き)の棘(とげ)を抜(ぬ)くのに苦労(くろう)した。
I had a hard time removing the wooden splinter.
古(ふる)い板(いた)を触(さわ)ったら棘(とげ)が刺(さ)さるから気(き)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(ひと)の言葉(ことば)には棘(とげ)がある。
That person's words have a sting to them.
棘(とげ)のある言(い)い方(かた)はやめてほしい。
I wish you'd stop speaking in such a barbed way.
彼女(かのじょ)は笑顔(えがお)で話(はな)していたが、どこか棘(とげ)を感(かん)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(とげ) is not commonly used. The expression 棘(とげ)のある言葉(ことば) (barbed words) or 棘(とげ)のある言(い)い方(かた) (barbed way of speaking) is a common figurative usage.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.23 20:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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