| 棘 |
jí chǔ | thorny problem / troublesome affair |
| 棘 |
jí | thorns |
| 楚 |
Chǔ | surname Chu / abbr. for Hubei 湖北省 and Hunan 湖南省 provinces together / Chinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722-221 BC) |
| 楚 |
chǔ | distinct / clear / orderly / pain / suffering / deciduous bush used in Chinese medicine (genus Vitex) / punishment cane (old) |