Definitions

(noun) cloth; fabric
(verb) to spread; to distribute
(verb) to announce; to make known

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 布, meaning cloth or fabric, is structurally composed of the radical 巾, which denotes a piece of cloth, and the component 又, which historically suggested both phonetic and conceptual elements related to hand action or production. Its core meaning has consistently related to woven textiles since its earliest uses, but this concrete concept naturally extended into a range of verbal applications. From the tangible idea of cloth, it broadened to signify the act of laying something out or spreading it flat, as in laying out a bolt of fabric, which then led to more abstract meanings such as to announce, to arrange, or to disseminate, evident in compound words like 布告 (to announce) and 布置 (to arrange). This semantic expansion from a specific material to associated actions and metaphors represents the primary evolution of the character, while its written form has remained largely stable.

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈买了一块新

Māma mǎi le yī kuài xīn bù.

Mom bought a new piece of cloth.

这块的颜色很漂亮。

Zhè kuài bù de yánsè hěn piàoliang.

The color of this cloth is very beautiful.

她用做了一个书包。

Tā yòng bù zuò le yī gè shūbāo.

She made a school bag with cloth.

桌子上铺着一块蓝

Zhuōzi shàng pū zhe yī kuài lán bù.

There is a blue cloth spread on the table.

学校公了考试时间。

Xuéxiào gōngbù le kǎoshì shíjiān.

The school announced the exam schedule.

他负责置会议场地。

Tā fùzé bùzhì huìyì chǎngdì.

He is responsible for arranging the meeting venue.

政府颁了新的法规。

Zhèngfǔ bānbù le xīn de fǎguī.

The government promulgated new regulations.

这款手机具备防功能。

Zhè kuǎn shǒujī jùbèi bùfáng gōngnéng.

This mobile phone has a burglar alarm function.