分枝 (fēn zhī) — (literal) branch of a tree or plant; (figurative) ramification, offshoot, subdivision

Definition

Literally 'branch' on a tree or plant; also used figuratively for a ramification or offshoot of a problem, field, or diagram. Concrete and visual — use it for both physical branches and subdivisions.

noun
(literal) branch of a tree or plant(figurative) ramificationoffshootsubdivision
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 分枝。
    Zhè kē shù de fēn zhī shàng tíng zhe yì zhī niǎo.
    A bird is perched on a branch of this tree.
  • 分枝，。
    Zhè ge wèn tí de fēn zhī hěn fù zá, xū yào zǐ xì fēn xī.
    The ramifications of this problem are complicated and need careful analysis.
  • ，分枝。
    Zài tú zhōng, zhǔ xiàn de páng biān yǒu jǐ tiáo fēn zhī.
    In the diagram, there are several branches beside the main line.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

分fēndivided
枝zhībranch

A 枝 that has 分 from the main stem, giving a side branch.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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 →

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