刺・棘|とげtoge[2]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounthorn; spine; prickle
   どのバラにもとげがあるように人生じんせいには悲かなしみがある。↗

   Life has its sorrows, as every rose has its thorns.
2. nounsplinter (esp. lodged in one's flesh); hard sharp item (esp. lodged in one's throat, e.g. fish bone)
   この指ゆびに刺とげがささって取とれません。↗

   I can't get this splinter out of my finger.
3. nounbiting words
   彼かれの言葉ことばにはとげがあった。↗

   There was a bite in his remark.

• Related酷評こくひょうNeutralSevere, scathing criticism, as in 「作品を酷評する」; the emphasis is on direct attack, not the figurative thorniness of 「とげ」.
• Related当てこすりあてこすりNeutralA snide, insinuating remark, as in 「当てこすりを言う」; it works by roundabout means, while 「とげ」 figuratively describes words that are sharp and thorny.

Use 「とげ」 for thorns on plants, splinters in the flesh, or figuratively sharp words, as in 「バラのとげ」 and 「とげのある言い方」. For an indirect, insinuating dig say 「当てこすり」, and for harsh direct criticism say 「酷評」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 植物しょくぶつや動物どうぶつの体表たいひょうにある硬かたくて尖とがった突起とっき。
2. 木き・竹たけ・骨ほねなどの尖とがった細片さいへん。
3. 人ひとの感情かんじょうを刺激しげきする悪意あくい・皮肉ひにく。