布满 (bù mǎn) — to be covered all over, to be filled with (something)

Definition

A vivid verb meaning something spreads to cover an entire surface — like stars filling the sky or wrinkles covering a face. Conveys that the surface is completely covered, not just partly (区别于 覆盖).

verb
to be covered all overto be filled with (something)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 布满。
    Tiān kōng bù mǎn le xīng xing.
    The sky is filled with stars.
  • 布满。
    Tā de liǎn shàng bù mǎn le zhòu wén.
    His face is covered with wrinkles.
  • 布满。
    Zhěng gè chéng shì bù mǎn le jī xuě.
    The whole city is covered with snow.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

布bùspread
满mǎnfull

布 means spread and 满 means full, giving cover everywhere.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
巾巾jīnkerchief
Sound part声符shēngfú
父
父fù布bù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

布 pairs 巾, a kerchief, with 父 as a sound part.

Open 布 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 滿; 满 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
㒼
㒼㒼滿mǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 滿 pairs 水, showing water, with 㒼, giving the sound. The simplified 满 is a later shorthand, not the original shape.

Open 满 →

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