Definitions

bào shower (rain)
waterfall

Etymology

Violent  water  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "瀑" represents a phono-semantic construct within Chinese orthography, where the water radical on the left semantically anchors it to aqueous phenomena while the right-hand component "暴" functions phonetically and contributes a layer of meaning associated with suddenness and violence. In classical usage, this character originally described a heavy, plunging rain or a swift, turbulent surge of water, closely aligning with the impulsive nature implied by its phonetic element. Over time, its application contracted to refer specifically to a waterfall, a geographical entity where water descends rapidly and forcefully, thus maintaining the core idea of abrupt power while shifting from a general weather event to a particular landform. This evolution in meaning, from a broad atmospheric condition to a precise physical feature, occurred without substantial alteration to the character's graphical composition, reflecting a natural specialization within the language.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条布很壮观。

Zhè tiáo pùbù hěn zhuàngguān.

This waterfall is very magnificent.

布从高处落下。

Pùbù cóng gāo chù luò xià.

The waterfall falls from a high place.

我们去看了那个布。

Wǒmen qù kàn le nàgè pùbù.

We went to see that waterfall.

布的声音很大。

Pùbù de shēngyīn hěn dà.

The sound of the waterfall is very loud.

山里的布非常美丽。

Shān lǐ de pùbù fēicháng měilì.

The waterfall in the mountains is very beautiful.

布的水很清澈。

Pùbù de shuǐ hěn qīngchè.

The water of the waterfall is very clear.

布下面有一个深潭。

Pùbù xiàmiàn yǒu yīgè shēn tán.

There is a deep pool below the waterfall.

他在布旁写生。

Tā zài pùbù páng xiěshēng.

He is sketching by the waterfall.