cloth · spread

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 布 is used for cloth and for distributing things; its kun-reading is ぬの and its on-reading is ふ.
• Basic usage: 布(ぬの) means cloth or fabric, while 配布(はいふ) means distribution.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Cloth as a material and handing out materials
  • 布 is the soft cloth used to clean glasses or the fabric sewn into a pouch.
  • 資料を配布します means materials will be handed out. 配布 describes giving meeting materials or product samples to people.