枝节 (zhī jié) — (literal) branches and nodes; (figurative) minor matters, trivialities; (figurative) complications, ramifications

Definition

Literally 'branches and nodes', used figuratively for side issues and complications. The fixed phrase 枝枝节节 means 'trifling details'; 问题有枝节 = 'the problem has complications'.

noun
(literal) branches and nodes(figurative) minor matterstrivialities(figurative) complicationsramifications

Examples

  • 枝节，。
    Tā men zhī tǎo lùn le shì qing de zhī jié, méi yǒu tán zhǔ yào wèn tí.
    They only discussed the minor matters, not the main issue.
  • ，枝节。
    Zhè ge wèn tí hěn fù zá, yǒu hěn duō zhī jié.
    This problem is very complex; there are many complications.
  • 枝节。
    Zhè ge jué dìng de zhī jié màn màn xiǎn shì chū lái le.
    The ramifications of this decision are gradually showing.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

枝zhībranch
节jiénode

“枝” (branch) and “节” (node) refer to branches and nodes, then to minor or complicated matters.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
支
支zhī枝zhī
Same sound today

枝 shows 木 (tree) beside 支, which gives the sound.

Open 枝 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 節; 节 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺮Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
即
即jí節jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.

Open 节 →

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