Definition
枝叶 literally means 'branches and leaves' of a plant, but it also has two common figurative meanings: (1) nonessential or trivial matters — things that are secondary or peripheral, like 'minor details' as opposed to the main point; (2) children or descendants, using the image of branching growth to refer to family lineage. Both figurative uses extend from the literal image of branching out.
n.
branches and leaves (of a plant)nonessentialsminor details (figurative, often in 旁支细叶 or 细枝末节)childrenoffspringdescendants (figurative, often in 枝叶繁茂 for a large family)
Examples
- 枝叶，。Zhè kē shù de zhī yè fēicháng màomì, xiàtiān néng zhē zhù yángguāng.The branches and leaves of this tree are very dense and can block out the sunlight in summer.
- ，枝叶，。Xiě bàogào shí, bié tài guānzhù zhī yè, yào zhuā zhù héxīn lùndiǎn.When writing a report, don't focus too much on minor details; grasp the core argument.
- 枝叶，。Zhège jiāzú zhī yè fánshèng, zǐsūn biànbù gè dì.This clan has many descendants, with offspring spread all over the place.
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