末節

• 読み: まっせつ
• ローマ字: massetsu
• 漢字の分解: 末 (matsu/sue) — end, tip, peripheral; 節 (setsu/fushi) — node, detail, matter
• 発音: /mas.se.tsɯ/

意味

Minor details; peripheral matters; trivia. Refers to insignificant points as opposed to the essential core of an issue.

A noun typically contrasted with 根本 (konpon, 'root, essence') or 本質 (honshitsu, 'essence'). Most commonly encountered as part of the four-character compound 枝葉末節 (shiyō-massetsu), meaning 'trivial side-issues.' Used in formal argumentation to dismiss peripheral concerns as distractions from the main point.

例文

1. 枝葉末節にこだわる前に、本質的な問題を解決すべきだ。
2. 会議では末節の議論ばかりで、何も決まらなかった。
3. 批評家たちは末節を指摘するばかりで、全体像を見ていない。

使い方ガイド

場面: academic discourse, debate, written argument

トーン: dismissive

起源と歴史

From 末 (matsu) meaning 'tip, end, peripheral' and 節 (setsu) meaning 'node, detail.' Together they express the peripheral, minor points of a matter rather than its substance.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated