Chinese word

抹布

Pronunciation

Pinyinmā bù

Meaning

  • nounrag

Example

我用抹布擦桌子。wǒ yòng mā bù cā zhuō zi

I use a rag to wipe the table.

Illustration for 抹布 (rag)

More examples

不要把脏的抹布放在水里太久。bú yào bǎ zàng de mā bù fàng zài shuǐ lǐ tài jiǔ

Do not leave the dirty rag in water for too long.

Core concept

A worn piece of fabric becomes a household tool for wiping dirt from hard surfaces.

Common phrases

  • 把抹布洗干净bǎ mā bù xǐ gān jìng

    wash the rag clean

  • 用湿抹布擦桌子yòng shī mā bù cā zhuō zi

    wipe the table with a wet rag

  • 换一块抹布huàn yí kuài mā bù

    replace the rag

Similar words

毛巾máo jīn: A soft cloth for drying the body, face, or hands.
纸巾zhǐ jīn: A thin, throwaway sheet of paper for wiping the hands, face, or small spills.
擦布cā bù: A cloth used to scrub surfaces during cleaning, often an old piece of fabric.
拖把tuō bǎ: A long-handled cleaning tool used to wash or wipe floors with water.

Definition in Chinese

用于擦拭表面污迹的布片，多为家用或清洁用的旧布或毛巾类材料。yòng yú cā shì biǎo miàn wū jì de bù piàn duō wèi jiā yòng huò qīng jié yòng de jiù bù huò máo jīn lèi cái liào

Word origin

The name combines 抹 (mā, "wipe") and 布 (bù, "cloth"), linking the material directly to the wiping action that defines its use.

Usage tips

  • In homes, an old towel or another absorbent fabric can serve this role, so the word focuses on cleaning use rather than a particular fabric.

Other meanings

  • table-wiping clothnoun
  • dishclothnoun

Word lists with this word