juk6 zung1 ci3肉中刺
Jyutpingjuk6 zung1 ci3
Yaleyuhk jūng chi
Definition
Thorn in one's flesh; a person who is deeply detested or hated.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression carries a strong emotional weight, implying that the person is not just annoying but actively obstructive or harmful to one's interests. It is almost exclusively used to describe a rival, an enemy, or a colleague who constantly sabotages one's progress. While it can be used in casual conversation, it sounds quite intense and personal, so it is rarely used to describe minor inconveniences.
Examples
He targets me all the time; he is truly a thorn in my side.
Who do you consider to be a thorn in your side at your company?
Related words
Common phrases
to remove a thorn in one's side
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a physical injury or a literal splinter. It is strictly metaphorical and refers to a person, not a physical object or a general problem.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
