noun
member of the Imperial family; royalty
Literary yojijukugo referring to a person of imperial lineage. Often used in formal or poetic contexts to describe someone of noble birth.
彼女は金枝玉葉の生まれだと伝えられている。
She is said to be born of imperial lineage.
noun
beautiful clouds
Rare, poetic sense. The characters literally mean 'golden branches and jeweled leaves,' metaphorically evoking splendid clouds. Not used in modern everyday language.
古典では「金枝玉葉」が美しい雲を表すことがある。
In classical texts, '金枝玉葉' can refer to beautiful clouds.
Standard, neutral term for members of the imperial family. 金枝玉葉 is a more ornate, literary expression.
A yojijukugo of Chinese origin, literally 'golden branches and jeweled leaves,' used metaphorically for imperial descendants and, in rare poetic usage, for beautiful clouds.