Definitions

bào shower (rain)
waterfall

Etymology

Violent  water  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "瀑", whose traditional form is identical, is composed of the water radical "氵" on the left and the phonetic-semantic component "暴" on the right, the latter meaning to expose or burst forth. This structure directly reflects its core meaning of a sudden, violent outpouring of water, originally referring to a rainstorm or heavy squall. Over time, its primary application shifted from the atmospheric phenomenon to a specific terrestrial one, becoming the standard term for a waterfall, which embodies a similar concept of water plunging or bursting forth with force. The character's etymology and composition have remained consistent, with the component "暴" continuing to suggest both the suddenness of the water's descent and the spray it produces.

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.