Translation and Meaning of: 一部 - ichibu

Have you ever come across the term 一部 [いちぶ] in Japanese and wondered what it really means? This word may seem simple, but it carries interesting nuances in the daily life of the Japanese. In this article, we will explore its etymology, practical use, the meaning of the kanji, and tips for memorization. If you are studying Japanese, you will love discovering how this little word appears in documents, conversations, and even in more informal contexts. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to jot down useful examples!

Etymology and Composition of the Kanji

The word 一部 is formed by two kanjis: 一 (ichi), which means "one," and 部 (bu), which can be translated as "part" or "section." Together, they convey the idea of "a part" or "a copy." The interesting thing here is that the kanji 部 also appears in terms like 部分 (bubun - part) and 部屋 (heya - room), showing its connection to divisions or segments. It is no coincidence that 一部 can refer to both a piece of something and a physical unit, such as a copy of a document.

Originally, the term emerged in an administrative context, used to identify specific parts of records or books. Over time, its use expanded to everyday situations. You may have seen in contracts or forms the expression 一部を抜粋 (to extract a part), which retains this notion of selecting a fragment from a whole. Do you notice how the meaning is directly linked to the composition of the ideograms?

Practical Use in Modern Japanese

In modern Japan, 一部 appears in two main contexts. The first is quite objective: when someone needs a physical copy of a document, such as a contract or report. For example, この書類の一部をください means "Please give me a copy of this document." The second usage is more abstract, indicating that something is partial or not complete. Phrases like 一部の地域で雨が降っています ("It is raining in some regions") show this application.

A curious detail is that, although 一部 can be translated as "some" in certain contexts, it does not have the same vague sense as in Portuguese. In Japanese, there is greater emphasis on the idea of being literally "a part of a whole." Therefore, when hearing 一部の人が反対した ("Some people opposed"), understand that there is a defined group within a whole, not an indefinite quantity. This precision is typical of the Japanese language and helps avoid ambiguities.

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To avoid confusing 一部 with similar words, a useful technique is to associate the kanji 部 with "division". Think of a cake cut into pieces - 一部 would be a specific slice. Another tip is to remember that official documents in Japan often use the term to refer to copies, so visualize someone handing over "a part" of the paperwork. It works well as a mental hook!

In pop culture, this word appears in unexpected places. Manga and dramas often use 一部始終 (ichibu shijuu) - an expression that means "from beginning to end" - to describe detailed stories. And there's a well-known pun among students: since いち is also the sound for "1" and ぶ resembles "part", some joke that it's the "numeric version" of just getting a little piece. It's not official, but it helps to remember!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 一部分 (ichibun) - A part of something, usually refers to a segment or fraction.
• 一部門 (ichibumon) - A department or sector within an organization.
• 一部分野 (ichibun ya) - A part of a specific field.
• 一部分域 (ichibun iki) - A part of an area or domain.
• 一部分類 (ichibun rui) - A category or class of a part.
• 一部署 (ichibusho) - A specific location within an organization; a department.
• 一部分科 (ichibun ka) - A part of a discipline or field of study.
• 一部分野球 (ichibun yakyuu) - Part related to baseball.
• 一部分野生物 (ichibun yaseibutsu) - A part related to wild organisms.
• 一部分野菜 (ichibun yasai) - A section related to vegetables.
• 一部分野外 (ichibun yakai) - A part of an outdoor space.
• 一部分野良猫 (ichibun yoraneko) - A section related to street cats.
• 一部分野鳥 (ichibun yabatori) - A section related to wild birds.
• 一部分野球場 (ichibun yakyuu jou) - A part of a baseball field.
• 一部分野球選手 (ichibun yakyuu senshu) - A part related to baseball players.
• 一部分野球チーム (ichibun yakyuu chiimu) - A part associated with a baseball team.
• 一部分野球大会 (ichibun yakyuu taikai) - A part of a baseball tournament.
• 一部分野球試合 (ichibun yakyuu shiai) - A part of a baseball game.
• 一部分野球用品 (ichibun yakyuu youhin) - A section related to baseball equipment.
• 一部分野球観戦 (ichibun yakyuu kansen) - A part related to watching baseball.
• 一部分野球中継 (ichibun yakyuu chuukei) - A part of the baseball broadcast.
• 一部分野球漫画 (ichibun yakyuu manga) - A section related to baseball manga.

一部

Romaji: ichibu
Kana: いちぶ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: 1. a copy of a document; 2. a part; partially; some.

Meaning in English: 1. one copy e.g. of a document; 2. a part;partly;some

Definition: The parte selected.

Example Sentences - (一部) ichibu

See below some example sentences:

風俗は日本の文化の一部です。

Fūzoku wa Nihon no bunka no ichibu desu

Customs is part of Japanese culture.

• 風俗 - costumes/traditions
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 文化 - culture
• の - Possession particle
• 一部 - part
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

伝達は大切なコミュニケーションの一部です。

Dentatsu wa taisetsu na komyunikēshon no ichibu desu

Communication is an important part of transmitting information.

Transmission is part of an important communication.

• 伝達 (Dentatsu) - transmission, communication
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - particle that emphasizes an adjective
• コミュニケーション (komyunikeeshon) - Communication
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 一部 (ichibu) - Part, section
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

一部の本を読みました。

Ichibu no hon wo yomimashita

I read a book of a part.

I read some books.

• 一部の - "some"
• 本 - "books"
• を - direct object particle
• 読みました - "he/she"

問答は人生の一部です。

Mondou wa jinsei no ichibu desu

Questions and answers are part of life.

• 問答 - "questions and answers"
• は - It is a topic marking particle in Japanese.
• 人生 - Means "life" in Japanese.
• の - it is a possessive particle in Japanese.
• 一部 - "part" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.

片仮名は日本語のアルファベットの一部です。

Katakana wa nihongo no arufabetto no ichibu desu

Katakana is part of the Japanese alphabet.

• 片仮名 - Japanese characters used to write words of Japanese origin
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possessive particle
• アルファベット - alphabet
• の - Possessive particle
• 一部 - part
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

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