Meaning of 分布
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to scatter
- to distribute
- to be distributed (over an area etc)
- (statistical, geographic) distribution
How to use 分布
分布 usually describes how things are already spread out, such as people, plants, cities or data, rather than the act of handing things out. It is common in geography, science and news. Example: 这种鸟主要分布在南方。(Zhè zhǒng niǎo zhǔyào fēnbù zài nánfāng.) This bird is mainly found in the south.
分 (fēn) means to divide, and 布 (bù) means to spread out, like cloth laid flat. Divide something up and spread it across an area, and you get 分布, things distributed over a space.
Common mistake: Learners often use 分布 for handing out items to people, but that is 分发 (fēnfā) or 发 (fā), as in 分发材料, not 分布材料. Also do not confuse 布 (bù) with 部 (bù) from 部分 (bùfen), since they sound the same but mean different things.
分布 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
分 fēn · to divide · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
布 bù · cloth · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 分布.
| 分钟 | fēnzhōng | minute |
| 部分 | bùfen | part; portion; piece; Taiwan pr. [bu4fen4] |
| 一部分 | yī bùfen | portion; part of |
| 十分 | shífēn | very; completely |
| 分开 | fēnkāi | to separate; to part |
| 大部分 | dàbùfen | the greater part; the majority; most; Taiwan pr. [da4bu4fen4] |
| 分数 | fēnshù | (exam) grade; mark |
| 宣布 | xuānbù | to declare; to announce |
| 分别 | fēnbié | to part; to leave each other; to distinguish; to tell apart |
| 得分 | défēn | to score a point (in a competition, test etc); score; rating; grade |
| 公布 | gōngbù | to announce; to make public; to publish |
| 分配 | fēnpèi | to distribute; to assign |
Questions about 分布
What does 分布 mean?
分布 (fēnbù) means "to scatter; to distribute" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 分布?
分布 is made of 2 characters: 分 (4 strokes), 布 (5 strokes). That is 9 strokes in total.
Is 分布 an HSK word?
Yes. 分布 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 分布 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 分布 is written 分佈.
What is the difference between 分布 and 分配?
分布 describes how things are spread across space, like population or resources in a region. 分配 (fēnpèi) means to assign or allocate something on purpose, like tasks or money. You say 人口分布 but 分配工作.
Can 分布 be used as a noun?
Yes. It often works as a noun meaning distribution, especially in phrases like 人口分布 (rénkǒu fēnbù, population distribution) or 正态分布 (zhèngtài fēnbù, normal distribution) in statistics.