thorn

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 茨 is read いばら, has 9 strokes, and relates to thorn bushes or brambles.
• Basic usage: 茨 is read いばら, and 茨の道 is read いばらのみち.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 茨 and 茨の道
  • 茨 means thorn bush or bramble.
  • 道の両側に茨が生い茂っていた。 means “Thorn bushes grew thick on both sides of the road.”
  • 茨の道 means thorny path or path of hardship.
  • 難しい改革は茨の道になると覚悟した。 means “I was prepared for the difficult reform to be a path of hardship.”