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 is a phono-semantic compound. Its upper part originally functioned as the phonetic component 父, while the lower part 巾 (a towel or cloth) provides the semantic category of textiles. In its modern form, the top component has evolved into 𠂇, obscuring the original phonetic link. The primary meaning is cloth or fabric, as in textiles made from cotton or hemp. This core idea of spreading out material led to extended verbal meanings: to declare, to announce, to arrange, and to distribute, usages reflected in words related to publication and dissemination.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

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.