Meaning of 叶子
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- leaf (CL:片[pian4])
- (slang) marijuana
How to use 叶子
叶子 is the normal spoken word for a leaf on a tree or plant, and it is counted with 片 (piàn). In slang it can also mean marijuana, but context almost always makes the plant meaning clear. Example: 秋天的叶子变黄了。(Qiūtiān de yèzi biàn huáng le.) The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
叶 (yè) has 口 (mouth) on the left and 十 (ten) on the right, so picture a mouth nibbling ten little leaves. Add the noun suffix 子 (zi), the same one in 桌子 (zhuōzi) and 杯子 (bēizi), and you get the everyday word for a leaf.
Common mistake: Learners often pronounce 子 with a full third tone (zǐ), but in 叶子 it is neutral: yèzi, with a falling yè followed by a light zi. Also do not count leaves with 个 (gè) in careful speech; say 一片叶子 (yí piàn yèzi).
叶子 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
叶 yè · leaf · 5 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
子 zi · noun suffix · 3 strokes
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- 3
Related words
Words that share a character with 叶子.
Questions about 叶子
What does 叶子 mean?
叶子 (yèzi) means "leaf (CL:片[pian4]); (slang) marijuana" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 叶子?
叶子 is made of 2 characters: 叶 (5 strokes), 子 (3 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 叶子 an HSK word?
Yes. 叶子 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 叶子 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 叶子 is written 葉子.
What is the difference between 叶子 and 树叶?
叶子 means any leaf, from a tree, vegetable or houseplant. 树叶 (shùyè) specifically means tree leaves and is often used for fallen leaves in general, as in 扫树叶 (sǎo shùyè), to sweep up leaves.
Can 叶 be used alone without 子?
In speech, people usually say 叶子. Alone, 叶 appears in compounds like 茶叶 (cháyè, tea leaves) and 绿叶 (lǜyè, green leaves), and it is also a common surname, Yè.