用布 (yòng bù) — utility cloth, rag (for cleaning or wiping)

Definition

用布 (yòng bù) is a cloth kept around the house for wiping, cleaning, or dusting — not for wearing or displaying.

noun
utility clothrag (for cleaning or wiping)
Measure word · 块

Examples

  • 用布，。
    Chú fáng lǐ yǒu yí kuài yòng bù, kě yǐ yòng lái cā zhuō zi.
    There's a rag in the kitchen that can be used to wipe the table.
  • 用布，。
    Zhè tiáo yòng bù yǐ jīng hěn zāng le, xū yào xǐ yi xǐ.
    This utility cloth is already very dirty; it needs to be washed.
  • 用布。
    Tā yòng yòng bù bǎ chuāng hu cā gān jìng le.
    He used a rag to clean the window completely.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

用yònguse
布bùcloth

用 indicates use, and 布 is the fabric, giving a cloth for wiping.

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.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →

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 →

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