枝

zhī

支 + 木

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

zhī (noun) branch; twig

zhī (noun) stick; rod

zhī (particle) measure word for long, thin, inflexible objects

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 支 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 支

About

The character 枝 is a phono-semantic compound, with the radical 木 (mù, wood/tree) on the left indicating its botanical meaning. The right component 支 (zhī) provides both the pronunciation and the core idea of a supporting branch. Its primary meaning is the branch or twig of a tree or plant. This extends to its use as a measure word for long, thin objects like pens or flowers, and metaphorically for subdivisions of an organization.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

树枝在风中摇晃。

Shùzhī zài fēng zhōng yáohuàng.

The tree branch sways in the wind.

小鸟在树枝上唱歌。

Xiǎo niǎo zài shùzhī shàng chànggē.

A little bird is singing on the branch.

春天的树枝长出新芽。

Chūntiān de shùzhī zhǎng chū xīn yá.

Spring branches grow new buds.

他剪掉了多余的树枝。

Tā jiǎndiào le duōyú de shùzhī.

He pruned the excess branches.

松树的树枝四季常青。

Sōngshù de shùzhī sìjì chángqīng.

The branches of the pine tree are evergreen all year round.

知识如同大树的枝叶，不断扩展。

Zhīshi rútóng dàshù de zhīyè, bùduàn kuòzhǎn.

Knowledge is like the branches and leaves of a great tree, constantly expanding.

我们要关注主干，而非细枝末节。

Wǒmen yào guānzhù zhǔgàn, ér fēi xìzhīmòjié.

We should focus on the main point, not the minor details.

公司的发展要主干清晰，枝叶茂盛。

Gōngsī de fāzhǎn yào zhǔgàn qīngxī, zhīyè màoshèng.

The company's development requires a clear main focus and flourishing branches.

Related Characters

Component: 支

Component: 木

枝