树叶 (shùyè) means “tree leaves” in Chinese. It’s a straightforward compound word where the meaning is derived directly from its individual components. Let’s analyze the original structure and meaning of each character:

树 (shù)

• Original Structure: This character was originally a pictogram depicting a tree with roots and branches.
• Meaning: tree / to plant trees / to set up / to establish

叶 (yè)

• Original Structure: This character was also a pictogram, depicting a leaf with veins.
• Meaning: leaf / page / lobe / (historical) period / classifier for small boats / surname Ye

Combined Meaning

When combined as 树叶 (shùyè), the meaning is simply “tree leaves.” It’s a literal combination of the two components, representing the leaves that grow on trees.

No significant evolution of meaning:

Unlike some Chinese characters that have undergone significant changes in meaning over time, 树叶 has retained its original meaning. This is likely because the concept of “tree leaves” is a concrete and fundamental one that hasn’t changed much throughout history.

The combination of “tree” (树) and “leaf” (叶) clearly and directly conveys the meaning of the word, making it easy to understand even for those unfamiliar with the individual characters.