棘とげ

noun

splinter; sharp object lodged in flesh

Used for small sharp foreign bodies stuck in skin or throat, such as wood splinters or fish bones.

• 指ゆびに小ちいさな棘とげが刺ささって痛いたい。

  A tiny splinter is stuck in my finger and it hurts.

• 魚さかなの骨ほねが喉のどに刺ささった。棘とげが取とれない。

  A fish bone got stuck in my throat. I can't get the sharp piece out.

noun

biting words; sharp remark

Figurative use for speech that feels prickly or hurtful, often in the phrase 言葉に棘がある.

• 彼かれの言こと葉ばにはいつも棘とげがある。

  His words always have a sharp edge to them.