noun HSK 2
Traditional 葉子
leaf · leaves
Meaning
叶子 refers to the leaf of a plant or tree. It's a common everyday word used to describe the flat, typically green parts of plants that grow from stems or branches. The word combines 叶 (leaf) with the diminutive suffix 子.
Usage
叶子 is the standard colloquial term for leaves in everyday conversation. When counting leaves, native speakers typically use the measure word 片 (piàn). The word can refer to a single leaf or leaves in general depending on context.
Examples
- 01秋天到了，叶子都变黄了。, .Autumn has arrived, and the leaves have all turned yellow.
- 02这棵树的叶子很大。.The leaves of this tree are very large.
Characters
Measure words
- 片一片叶子
Common collocations
- 树叶tree leaves
- 落叶fallen leaves
- 叶子变黄leaves turn yellow
- 绿叶green leaves
Antonyms
Origin
The character 叶 originally depicted a plant's leaf. The suffix 子 is commonly added to create colloquial nouns in Mandarin.