Translation and Meaning of: 部 - bu

The Japanese word 「部」 (bu) is a kanji with a robust and versatile meaning, often used in the Japanese language to describe parts, sections, or divisions of something larger. This idea of division is at the heart of its main meaning, which can refer to departments in a company, sections of a book, or even groups in an organization. It is an integral part of the Japanese vocabulary, essential for the correct understanding of many social and business contexts.

Etymologically, the kanji 「部」 is formed by the radicals 「⻂」 (mīn), which means "city" or "village" and is associated with community or group, and 「口」 (kuchi), which means "mouth" or "opening," and often represents something that is open or an entrance. Together, they convey the idea of a portion of a city or a 'part' where people gather. This composition accurately reflects the use of the kanji to indicate divisions or sections.

Regarding its origin, 「部」 (bu) has roots in ancient Chinese, where it also meant division or part. This idea was incorporated into Japanese during the adoption of Chinese characters (kanji) in Japanese writing. The continued use of this word in Japan over the centuries has solidified its place in the foundations of both the language and culture, playing a significant role in various aspects of daily life, from the structure of school subjects to istrative divisions in companies.

Variações e Usos Comuns

  • 社内部 (shanai-bu): Refers to internal departments within a company.
  • 部活 (bukatsu): Abbreviation for extracurricular school activities or clubs, such as music or sports clubs.
  • 部分 (bubun): Means a section or part of a whole, usually used in more literal or physical contexts.

In summary, the word 「部」 (bu) is an essential element of modern Japanese vocabulary, reflecting a variety of concepts related to parts and divisions. Its rich etymology, originating from collective and organizational notions, makes it a fundamental part of understanding the structural functioning in both language and Japanese culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 課 (Ka) - Department, section, or specific course in an educational or organizational context.
  • グループ (Guruupu) - Group, a collection of people who work together.
  • セクション (Sekushon) - Section, a part of a whole, often used in an organizational context or in documents.
  • チーム (Chiimu) - Team, a group of people who collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  • ユニット (Yunitto) - Unit, a part of a larger system, which may refer to teams or departments.

Related words

本部

honbu

headquarters

部屋

heya

room

部品

buhin

parts; accessories

部分

bubun

part

部門

bumon

class; group; category; Department; field; branch

部下

buka

subordinate person

部首

bushu

radical (of a kanji character)

内部

naibu

interior; internal; internal

大部分

daibubun

maioria

大部

taibu

the majority (eg most part); bigger; fair; very; very; very

Romaji: bu
Kana:
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Department; part; category; counter for copies of a newspaper or magazine

Meaning in English: department;part;category;counter for copies of a newspaper or magazine

Definition: Refers to a floor of a building or facility, or to a field or department.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (部) bu

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (部) bu:

Example Sentences - (部) bu

See below some example sentences:

この部屋の定員は10人です。

Kono heya no teiin wa juunin desu

The maximum capacity of this room is 10 people.

The capacity of this room is 10 people.

  • この部屋 - "kono heya" means "this room" in Japanese.
  • の - "no" is a particle that indicates possession or relationship.
  • 定員 - "teiin" means "maximum capacity" or "maximum number of people" in Japanese.
  • は - "wa" is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
  • 10人 - "juppun" means "10 people" in Japanese.
  • です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.
この部屋の装飾は美しいです。

Kono heya no sōshoku wa utsukushii desu

The decoration of this room is beautiful.

The decoration in this room is beautiful.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
  • 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
  • の - possessive particle that indicates that the previous noun is the possessor
  • 装飾 - noun that means "decoration" or "ornament"
  • は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
  • 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
  • です - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something
この機械の部品は交換が必要です。

Kono kikai no buhin wa kōkan ga hitsuyō desu

Parts of this machine need to be replaced.

Parts of this machine must be replaced.

  • この - indicates the object being mentioned, in this case "this"
  • 機械 - machine
  • の - particle that indicates ownership, in this case "of the machine"
  • 部品 - part
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the piece"
  • 交換 - exchange, replacement
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "the exchange"
  • 必要 - necessary
  • です - verb to be in the present affirmative
カーペットを敷くと部屋が暖かくなる。

Kāpetto wo shiku to heya ga atatakaku naru

Lying a rug warms the room.

  • カーペット - tapete
  • を - article indicando objeto direto
  • 敷く - colocar (tapete)
  • と - Article indicating a condition or reason
  • 部屋 - sala
  • が - Article indicando sujeito
  • 暖かく - warm
  • なる - para se tornar
この部屋は広いです。

Kono heya wa hiroi desu

This room is spacious.

This room is large.

  • この - this
  • 部屋 - Room, living room
  • は - Topic particle
  • 広い - spacious, wide
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
この部屋は専用です。

Kono heya wa sen'you desu

This room is exclusive.

This room is exclusive.

  • この - this
  • 部屋 - Room, living room
  • は - is
  • 専用 - exclusive, particular
  • です - is (polite form of "to be" in Japanese)
この部屋は狭いです。

Kono heya wa semai desu

This room is small.

This room is small.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
  • 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
  • は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
  • 狭い - adjective that means "narrow" or "tight"
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
この部屋は空しいです。

Kono heya wa munashii desu

This room is empty.

This room is empty.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
  • 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 空しい - Adjective that means "empty" or "vacant"
  • です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form
この部屋は臭いです。

Kono heya wa kusai desu

This room smells bad.

This room smells.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
  • 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
  • は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this room"
  • 臭い - adjective meaning "smelly" or "stinky"
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
この部屋にはたくさんの飾りがあります。

Kono heya ni wa takusan no kazari ga arimasu

There are many decorations in this room.

  • この部屋には - In this room
  • たくさんの - Many
  • 飾りが - Decorations
  • あります - They exist

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

部