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 administrative 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.

部

Romaji: bu
Kana: ぶ
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.

Example Sentences - (部) bu

See below some example sentences:

窮屈な部屋で過ごすのは辛い。

Kyuukutsu na heya de sugosu no wa tsurai

It's hard to pass time in a cramped room.

It's hard to spend in a cramped room.

• 窮屈な - means "tight, narrow, confined".
• 部屋 - means "bedroom, living room".
• で - is a particle that indicates where the action takes place.
• 過ごす - means "to spend, to spend (time)".
• のは - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 辛い - means "difficult, hard, painful".

私の部屋には大きな戸棚があります。

Watashi no heya ni wa ookina todana ga arimasu

There's a big closet in my room.

There's a big closet in my room.

• 私の部屋には - "In my classroom"
• 大きな - "large"
• 戸棚 - "closet"
• が - subject particle
• あります - exist

淡水は台湾の北部にある美しい港町です。

Dansui wa Taiwan no hokubu ni aru utsukushii koumachi desu

Danshui is a beautiful port city located in the northern part of Taiwan.

Tamami is a beautiful port city in the northern part of Taiwan.

• 淡水 - Name of the city of Tamsui
• は - Topic particle
• 台湾 - Taiwan
• の - Possessive particle
• 北部 - Region norte
• に - Location particle
• ある - Verb "to be" in the present
• 美しい - Adjective "beautiful"
• 港町 - harbor
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

根は樹木の命を支える重要な部分です。

Ne wa jumoku no inochi wo sasaeru juuyou na bubun desu

Roots are an important part that sustains the life of trees.

The root is an important part that supports the life of a tree.

• 根 - root
• は - Topic particle
• 樹木 - tree
• の - Possession particle
• 命 - life
• を - direct object particle
• 支える - to support
• 重要な - important
• 部分 - part
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

彼女は部屋を散らすのが好きです。

Kanojo wa heya wo chirasu no ga suki desu

She likes to mess up the room.

She likes to spread out the room.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 部屋 (heya) - fourth
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 散らす (chirasu) - spread, mess up
• のが (no ga) - particle that indicates that the previous verb is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼は強引に彼女を部屋に押し込んだ。

Kare wa gouin ni kanojo o heya ni oshikomunda

He pushed her hard into the room.

He pushed her into the room.

• 彼 - He
• は - Topic particle
• 強引に - Forcibly, violently
• 彼女を - She (direct object)
• 部屋に - In the living room
• 押し込んだ - He pushed in

全部食べた。

Zenbu tabeta

I ate it all.

I ate it all.

• 全部 (zenbu) - means "everything" or "everyone"
• 食べた (tabeta) - is the past form of the verb "taberu", which means "to eat"

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

主任は部署のリーダーです。

Shunin wa busho no ridaa desu

The boss is the leader of the department.

The boss is the leader of the department.

• 主任 (Shunin) - means "chief" or "supervisor" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 部署 (Busho) - means "department" or "sector" in Japanese.
• の (no) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• リーダー (Riidaa) - word in English that means "leader".
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence or identity of something.

レンズはカメラの重要な部品です。

Renzu wa kamera no juuyou na bubun desu

Lenses are an important part of the camera.

The lens is an important part of the camera.

• レンズ (renzu) - lens
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• カメラ (kamera) - câmera
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 部品 (buhin) - component, part
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form