枝

• Reading: えだ
• Romaji: eda
• Kanji breakdown: 枝 (eda) — branch; composed of 木 (tree) + 支 (branch off)
• Pronunciation: /e.da/

Meaning

Branch; bough; limb; twig. A woody extension growing from the trunk or stem of a tree.

Commonly appears in phrases like 枝を切る (to prune branches) and 木の枝 (tree branch). Also used in compound words like 枝豆 (edamame — literally branch beans, as they grow on branching stems).

Examples

1. 鳥が木の枝に止まっています。 A bird is perched on a tree branch.
2. 台風で大きな枝が折れました。 A large branch broke off because of the typhoon.
3. 桜の枝がきれいに伸びています。 The cherry blossom branches are stretching out beautifully.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, gardening, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 枝 combines 木 (tree) and 支 (to branch off, support), literally depicting a part that branches off from a tree.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal