Definition
细枝末节 literally means 'slender twigs and tiny knots' on a tree, and is used as a set phrase to refer to unimportant, trivial details — the kind that distract from the main point. You often see it in expressions like 不要纠结于细枝末节 ('don't get hung up on minor details') or 关注细枝末节 ('focus on trivialities'). It carries a slightly negative connotation when used as a criticism of being too nitpicky.
f.e.
minor detailstrivial mattersnonessentials
Examples
- 细枝末节，。Bié zǒng dīngzhe xì zhī mò jiē, xiān kànkan zhěngtǐ fāng'àn.Don't always focus on minor details—first look at the overall plan.
- ，细枝末节。Gōngzuò huìbào yào tūchū zhòngdiǎn, shǎo tán xì zhī mò jiē.Work reports should highlight the key points and talk less about trivial matters.
- 细枝末节，。Tā tài zàiyì xì zhī mò jiē, fǎn'ér hūlüèle zhǔyào wèntí.He cares too much about nonessentials and instead overlooks the main issue.
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