# 节外生枝

jié wài shēng zhī

Create unexpected complications

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Branches grow beyond an existing joint

**Traditional Chinese:** 節外生枝

**Register:** Critical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe extra problems arising during an otherwise clear process.

Often unwelcome; not every useful expansion counts as a complication.

## Understanding the expression

A branch growing from an unexpected place disrupts the planned shape of a tree. In the expression, that extra growth stands for complications outside the main issue. A settled agreement can acquire new conditions, or a simple task can attract unrelated disputes. Speakers often use it when urging others to keep a process focused. It describes the unwanted addition, rather than the original difficulty everyone already understood.

## Examples

合同快签了，别再节外生枝。

### Traditional Chinese

合同快簽了，別再節外生枝。

hé tong kuài qiān le ， bié zài jié wài shēng zhī 。

The contract is nearly signed; do not create further complications.

他突然要求换供应商，事情又节外生枝。

### Traditional Chinese

他突然要求換供應商，事情又節外生枝。

tā tū rán yāo qiú huàn gōng yìng shāng ， shì qíng yòu jié wài shēng zhī 。

His sudden demand to change suppliers created another complication.

本来只是修门，邻居投诉又让问题节外生枝。

### Traditional Chinese

本來只是修門，鄰居投訴又讓問題節外生枝。

běn lái zhǐ shì xiū mén ， lín jū tóu sù yòu ràng wèn tí jié wài shēng zhī 。

It was only a door repair, but a neighbor's complaint complicated matters.

我们先解决退款，免得讨论其他问题节外生枝。

### Traditional Chinese

我們先解決退款，免得討論其他問題節外生枝。

wǒ men xiān jiě jué tuì kuǎn ， miǎn de tǎo lùn qí tā wèn tí jié wài shēng zhī 。

Let us settle the refund first so other issues do not complicate it.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%AF%80%E5%A4%96%E7%94%9F%E6%9E%9D)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=375&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [竭泽而渔 jié zé ér yú Sacrifice the future for an immediate gain ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-ze-er-yu)

- [金蝉脱壳 jīn chán tuō qiào Escape while leaving a misleading shell behind ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-chan-tuo-qiao)

- [金科玉律 jīn kē yù lǜ A rule treated as authoritative and unchangeable ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-ke-yu-lv)

- [锦囊妙计 jǐn náng miào jì An ingenious plan ready to solve a difficulty ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-nang-miao-ji)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 借题发挥 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-ti-fa-hui) [Next idiom 节衣缩食 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-yi-suo-shi)