Translation and Meaning of: 布 - nuno

The Japanese word 布[ぬの] may seem simple, but it carries interesting meanings and uses in everyday life and Japanese culture. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the term, understanding its meaning, origin, and practical applications can be quite useful. In this article, we will explore everything from its writing and pronunciation to the cultural context in which this word is used.

In addition to being a common term in the Japanese vocabulary, 布[ぬの] also appears in expressions and everyday situations. Whether to describe fabrics, clothes, or even in more abstract contexts, this word has a significant presence. Let's dive into the details so that you can use it with confidence and naturalness.

Meaning and use of 布[ぬの]

In its most basic form, 布[ぬの] means "fabric" or "cloth." It is used to refer to textile materials in general, such as cotton, linen, or silk. However, its use is not limited to just clothing items. The word can also appear in broader contexts, such as in expressions that involve distribution or covering, reflecting the versatility of the term.

A common example is the expression 布を切る[ぬのをきる], which means "to cut fabric." This phrase is often used in sewing workshops or fabric stores. Another interesting use is in combination with other kanjis, such as 布団[ふとん], which means "futon," a type of traditional Japanese mattress. These variations show how the word adapts to different situations.

Origin and writing of the kanji 布

The kanji 布 is composed of the radical 巾[はば], which is related to fabrics or cloths, and the component 父[ふ], which functions as a phonetic indicator. This combination helps to understand not only the pronunciation but also the meaning behind the character. The etymology traces back to ancient Chinese, where the ideogram already represented textile materials.

It is important to note that, although 布 is often read as ぬの, it can also have other readings, such as ふ in compound words. For example, 分布[ぶんぷ] means "distribution" and uses the same writing but with a different pronunciation. This type of variation is common in Japanese and reinforces the importance of studying kanji in context.

Cultural curiosities and memorization tips

In Japan, traditional fabrics like 和布[にの] have significant cultural value. These materials are used in kimonos, obis, and other items that represent Japanese identity. Knowing the term 布[ぬの] can be useful for those interested in local fashion or crafts, as it frequently appears in stores and workshops.

To memorize the word, one tip is to associate the kanji 布 with something tangible, like a piece of clothing or a dish towel. Visualizing the object while practicing writing and pronunciation can help cement the term more easily. Another strategy is to create flashcards with example sentences, such as この布はきれいです[このぬのはきれいです], which means "This fabric is beautiful."

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 布地 (ぬのじ, nu no ji) - Specific fabric or type of material.
• 生地 (きじ, kiji) - Raw material or fabric.
• 織物 (おりもの, orimono) - Any type of fabric or textile product.
• 織物地 (おりものじ, orimonoji) - Area or surface of woven fabric.
• 織布 (おりぬの, orinu no) - Fabric fabric, emphasis on the weaving technique.
• 織り物 (おりもの, orimono) - Another way to refer to any fabric, similar to 織物.
• 織り布 (おりぬの, ori nuno) - Woven, focusing on the act of weaving.
• 織り地 (おりじ, oriji) - Texture or pattern of a woven fabric.
• 織り素材 (おりそざい, orisozai) - Material used for weaving, emphasizing the composition.
• 織り織物 (おりおりもの, ori orimono) - Fabric that is specifically fabric, highlighting the technique.
• 織り生地 (おりきじ, orikiji) - Fabric in its raw state that has been woven.
• 織り織物地 (おりおりものじ, ori orimonoji) - Double-weave fabric surface.
• 織り織物布 (おりおりものぬの, ori orimononuno) - Fabric resulting from a complex weaving technique.
• 織り織物素材 (おりおりものそざい, ori orimonosozai) - Specific material used in detailed weaving techniques.
• 織り織物生地 (おりおりものきじ, ori orimonokiji) - Raw state of fabric that has been woven, with emphasis on the weaving technique.
• 織り織物織物 (おりおりものおりもの, ori orimono orimono) - Fabric that has layers of weavings, highlighting the complexity.
• 織り織物織物地 (おりおりものおりものじ, ori orimono orimonoji) - Surface of the fabric that is the result of multiple layers of weaving.
• 織り織物織物布 (おりおりものおりものぬの, ori orimono orimononuno) - A fabric web that represents various weaving techniques.
• 織り織物織物素材 (おりおりものおりものそざい, ori orimono orimonosozai) - Materials used in a complex weaving process.
• 織り織物織物生地 (おりおりものおりものきじ, ori orimono orimonokiji) - Woven fabric that has been crafted in multiple layers, emphasizing its raw and complex state.

布

Romaji: nuno
Kana: ぬの
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: cloth

Meaning in English: cloth

Definition: Something made of woven fibers.

Example Sentences - (布) nuno

See below some example sentences:

布で作られた服はとても快適です。

Fuku de tsukurareta fuku wa totemo kaiteki desu

Clothes made of fabric are very comfortable.

Clothing made of cloth is very comfortable.

• 布で作られた - made of fabric
• 服 - clothes
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 快適 - comfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

配布されたチラシを手に取った。

Haifu sareta chirashi wo te ni totta

I took the distributed leaflet.

• 配布された - distributed
• チラシ - leaflet
• を - object particle
• 手に取った - took his hand

回覧を配布しました。

Kairan wo haifu shimashita

We distributed the circulation document.

The circulation was distributed.

• 回覧 - Word that means "circulation of documents" or "distribution of information".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 配布 - Verb that means "distribute" or "deliver".
• しました - past form of the verb "suru", which indicates that the action was completed.

この地域の人口分布は均等ではありません。

Kono chiiki no jinkou bunpu wa kintou de wa arimasen

The population distribution in this region is not uniform.

The population distribution in this area is not equal.

• この - Japanese word meaning "this"
• 地域 - Japanese word meaning "region"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or belonging
• 人口 - Japanese word meaning "population"
• 分布 - Japanese word meaning "distribution"
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 均等 - Japanese word meaning "uniform" or "the same"
• で - Japanese particle indicating the means or method
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• ありません - Japanese verb meaning "does not exist" or "is not"

この布告は重要です。

Kono fukoku wa juuyou desu

This proclamation is important.

This statement is important.

• この - this
• 布告 - announcement
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

しまった！財布を忘れてきてしまった。

Shimatta! Saifu wo wasurete kite shimatta

Oops! I forgot my wallet.

• しまった！ - Expression in Japanese that can be translated as "damn!" or "oh no!"
• 財布 - Word in Japanese that means "carteira"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 忘れてきてしまった - The Japanese verb for "forget" conjugated in the past and followed by the particle "て" indicating continuous action and "きて" indicating that the action was performed in the current location. "しまった" is an expression indicating regret or frustration.

布団で寝るのが好きです。

Futon de neru no ga suki desu

I like to sleep in a futon.

• 布団 (futon) - a type of traditional Japanese mattress
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the medium or place where something happens
• 寝る (neru) - verb meaning "to sleep"
• のが (noga) - a particle indicating someone's preference or habit
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating formality or courtesy in communication

毛布で暖かく眠りたいです。

Moufu de atatakaku nemuritai desu

I want to sleep warm with a blanket.

I want to sleep warmly with a blanket.

• 毛布 (moufu) - wool blanket
• で (de) - particle indicating means or tool used
• 暖かく (atatakaku) - hot or heated
• 眠りたい (nemuritai) - want to sleep
• です (desu) - polite way to end a sentence

私の財布は空っぽです。

Watashi no saifu wa karappo desu

My wallet is empty.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 財布 (saifu) - noun that means "wallet"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the wallet"
• 空っぽ (karappo) - adjective that means "empty"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, in this case, "is"

私の財布が紛失しました。

Watashi no saifu ga funshitsu shimashita

I lost my wallet.

My wallet was lost.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 財布 - Japanese noun that means "wallet"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 紛失 - Japanese verb that means "to lose"
• しました - polite form and past tense of the verb "suru" which means "to do"