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
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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:

私の部屋はとても静かです。

Watashi no heya wa totemo shizuka desu

My room is very quiet.

My room is very quiet.

  • 私 (watashi) - means "I" in Japanese.
  • の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of" in Portuguese.
  • 部屋 (heya) - "Quarto" significa "部屋" (heya) em japonês.
  • は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "it is about" in Portuguese.
  • とても (totemo) - adverb that means "very" in Japanese.
  • 静か (shizuka) - The adjective that means "silent" in Japanese is 静かな (shizukana).
  • です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or quality of the subject, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English.
私は学部で勉強しています。

Watashi wa gakubu de benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying at college.

I'm studying at the undergraduate school.

  • 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 学部 - noun that means "faculty"
  • で - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
  • 勉強 - verb that means "study"
  • しています - polite and present form of the verb "suru", which means "to do"
私の部門は新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。

Watashi no bumon wa atarashii purojekuto ni torikunde imasu

My department is working on a new project.

  • 私の部門 - "Watashi no bumon" means "my department" in Japanese.
  • は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
  • 新しい - "atarashii" means "new" in Japanese.
  • プロジェクト - "purojekuto" is a word in Japanese that means "project".
  • に - "ni" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of an action.
  • 取り組んでいます - "torikundeimasu" is a verbal form in Japanese that means "we are working hard."
私鉄は都市部でよく使われる交通手段です。

Shitetsu wa toshibu de yoku tsukawareru kotsu shudan desu

Private railways are the commonly used transport in urban areas.

  • 私鉄 - private railways
  • は - Topic particle
  • 都市部 - urban areas
  • で - Location particle
  • よく - often
  • 使われる - to be used
  • 交通手段 - means of transport
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
絨毯を敷くと部屋が暖かくなります。

Jūtan o shiku to heya ga atatakaku narimasu

Put a rug to heat the room.

  • 絨毯 - mat
  • を - object particle
  • 敷く - place, spread
  • と - Comparison particle
  • 部屋 - Room, living room
  • が - subject particle
  • 暖かく - Hot, warm
  • なります - becomes
舞台は役者たちの人生の一部です。

Butai wa yakushatachi no jinsei no ichibu desu

The stage is part of the lives of actors.

  • 舞台 (butai) - stage
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 役者 (yakusha) - actors/actresses
  • たち (tachi) - suffix to indicate plurality
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 人生 (jinsei) - life
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 一部 (ichibu) - part
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
薄暗い部屋で本を読むのは目が疲れる。

Hakuaii heya de hon wo yomu no wa me ga tsukareru

Reading books in a dark room tires the eyes.

Reading a book in a dark room is tired.

  • 薄暗い - poor lighting
  • 部屋 - fourth
  • で - in
  • 本 - book
  • を - object particle
  • 読む - read
  • のは - Topic particle
  • 目 - eyes
  • が - subject particle
  • 疲れる - to get tired
警部は事件の捜査を担当しています。

Keibu wa jiken no sousa wo tantou shiteimasu

The inspector is responsible for investigating the case.

The inspector is responsible for investigating the case.

  • 警部 (Keibu) - Title of a high-ranking Japanese police officer
  • は (wa) - Topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "警部".
  • 事件 (jiken) - Incident or case
  • の (no) - Possessive particle that indicates that the "jiken" is the object of the action.
  • 捜査 (sousa) - Investigation
  • を (wo) - Object particle that indicates that "sousa" is the direct object of the action
  • 担当しています (tantou shiteimasu) - You are in charge of

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

部