树叶

• Pinyin: shù yè
• Hanzi breakdown: 树 = 木 (wood) + 对 + 寸, simplified from 樹; 叶 = 口 (mouth) + 十 (ten), simplified from 葉, meaning leaf

Meaning

Tree leaf; tree leaves. The foliage of a tree.

Refers specifically to leaves growing on trees, as opposed to leaves of smaller plants or grass. Commonly discussed in relation to seasonal changes, particularly autumn when leaves change colour and fall.

Examples

1. 秋天到了，树叶慢慢变黄了。 Autumn has arrived, and the tree leaves are slowly turning yellow.
2. 一片树叶从树上飘了下来。 A leaf drifted down from the tree.
3. 雨后的树叶看起来格外翠绿。 The tree leaves look especially green after the rain.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, seasons

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 地上铺满了金黄色的树叶。(The ground is covered with golden tree leaves.)
• 春天的时候，树叶又会重新长出来。(In spring, the tree leaves will grow back again.)

Don't Say

• 这棵花的树叶真好看。(Don't use 树叶 for flower petals or small plant leaves — use 叶子 for general leaves or 花瓣 for petals.)

Origin & History

Compound of 树 (tree) and 叶 (leaf), literally 'tree leaf.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal