瀑布

• Pinyin: pù bù
• Hanzi breakdown: 瀑 = 氵(water) + 暴 (violent/sudden); 布 = 父 + 巾 (cloth spread out)

Meaning

Waterfall. A cascade of water falling over a rocky edge from a height.

Used in geographical, travel, and literary contexts. Also used metaphorically for cascading hair or flowing data. Famous examples include 黄果树瀑布 and 壶口瀑布.

Examples

1. 黄果树瀑布是中国最著名的瀑布之一，气势雄伟。 Huangguoshu Waterfall is one of China’s most famous waterfalls, with an awe-inspiring presence.
2. 雨后山间的瀑布水流湍急，水声震耳欲聋。 After the rain, the mountain waterfall surged with powerful currents, and the roar of the water was deafening.
3. 她的长发如瀑布般披散在肩上，令人印象深刻。 Her long hair fell over her shoulders like a waterfall, leaving a striking impression.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, travel, literature

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这座瀑布落差达两百米，壮观非凡。(This waterfall has a vertical drop of 200 meters, a truly spectacular sight.)
• 摄影师在瀑布旁拍摄了一组气势磅礴的风景照。(The photographer took a series of magnificent landscape photos beside the waterfall.)

Don't Say

• 水从山上流下来形成了瀑布 — when referring to a known waterfall simply say 瀑布; over-describing its formation is redundant

Origin & History

瀑 (rushing/torrential water) + 布 (spread out) — water spreading out in a torrent

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal