症结

癥結
zhēngjié
  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

CEDICT

Entry Composition

1 症 zhēng
  1. abdominal tumor
  2. bowel obstruction
  3. (fig.) sticking point
2 结 jié
  1. knot
  2. sturdy
  3. bond
  4. to tie
  5. to bind
  6. to check out (of a hotel)