骾 (gěng) - A fishbone & to have a fishbone stuck in one's throat

骾Tone 3

gěng ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

骾 · gěng

A fishbone;

to have a fishbone stuck in one's throat;

straightforward, upright, honest.

A fishboneto have a fishbone stuck in one's throatstraightforward, upright, honest.

Usage highlights

Fishbone stuck in throatHonest and straightforwardHonest speechChoking on a boneHonest and outspokenTo have a bone stuck

Synonyms

  • 直— straight, direct, honest
  • 耿— bright, honest, upright
  • 正— upright, correct

Antonyms

  • 曲— crooked, bent, dishonest
  • 谄— flattering, sycophantic
  • 猾— sly, cunning

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He choked on a fishbone (鱼骾在喉).
  • She is known for her straightforward character (性格骾直).
  • He spoke with honest bluntness (骾言).

Collocations

  • Fishbone stuck in throat(骾喉)
  • Honest and straightforward(骾直)
  • Honest speech(骾言)
  • Choking on a bone(骨骾)
  • Honest and outspoken(骾介)
  • To have a bone stuck(如骾在喉)

Idioms

  • Like having a fishbone stuck in the throat(如骾在喉)
  • Honest and outspoken(骾介之士)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character originally referred to fishbones, extending metaphorically to describe someone who is honest and speaks directly, like a bone that cannot be swallowed.
  • In traditional culture, being '骾直' (honest and straightforward) was considered a virtue, though it could sometimes lead to social friction.
  • The physical sensation of having a bone stuck in the throat became a metaphor for having something urgent that must be said.

FAQ