‘分布’ (fēn bù) literally combines ‘分’ (to divide, separate) and ‘布’ (to spread, lay out), together conveying the idea of something being spread out or arranged across space. As a noun, it refers to the pattern or arrangement of where things are located — for example, how species appear across regions. As a verb, it describes the action of being scattered or dispersed over an area.

This word is commonly used in scientific, geographical, and ecological contexts — especially when discussing where animals, plants, minerals, or populations occur. It emphasizes spatial spread rather than movement or intention: a species ‘is distributed’ (e.g., across mountains), not ‘distributes itself’. It often appears with prepositions like ‘在…中’ (in…), ‘于…’ (across…), or adverbs like ‘广泛’ (widely) or ‘不均匀地’ (unevenly).