粗布 (cū bù) literally means 'coarse cloth' — 粗 (cū) means 'rough', 'coarse', or 'unrefined', and 布 (bù) means 'cloth' or 'fabric'. Together, they refer to traditionally hand-woven, thick, loosely woven fabric made from cotton, hemp, or other natural fibers. Unlike smooth, mass-produced textiles, 粗布 has a rustic texture and visible weave, often associated with rural life, historical simplicity, and sustainable craftsmanship in China.

This term evokes cultural imagery of pre-industrial textile production — think farmers’ work clothes, traditional quilts, or handmade bags. While rarely used for everyday modern clothing, 粗布 appears in heritage crafts, eco-fashion, and literary descriptions of modest living or nostalgic rural scenes. It carries positive connotations of authenticity, durability, and humility — not poverty, but intentional simplicity.