症结 zhēng jié

DEFINITIONS

  1. hard lump in the abdomen (in Chinese medicine)
  2. crux of an issue
  3. main point in an argument
  4. sticking point
  5. deadlock in negotiations

CHARACTERS

症 zhēng
HSK 6
disease, illness, ailment
结 jié
HSK 3
knot, tie; join, connect