枝繁叶茂
zhī fán yè mào
flourishing; (of a family) with many descendants
Character by character
枝zhī
branches
branches
繁fán
many
many
叶yè
leaves
leaves
茂mào
lush
lush
Example
爷爷奶奶有五个儿女、十几个孙子孙女,家族枝繁叶茂,一到过年就能坐满三大桌。
My grandparents have five children and a dozen or so grandchildren: the family has flourished, and at New Year it fills three big tables.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Literally a tree in full leaf; figuratively a large, thriving family or organisation: 家族枝繁叶茂.
Learn this in Lesson 38 · HSK 5–6: 亲戚怎么叫 (What to call your relatives)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →