HSK 4, n, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #607, Medium
bù(bu4) T4
1ministry
2department
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March 24, 2026
部bù(bu4)
The character 部 (bù) refers to a division or department within an organization, such as a ministry or section. It is commonly used in both formal contexts, like government ministries, and informal contexts, such as departments in a company. Additionally, it can serve as a classifier for certain works, indicating a specific section or part.
Strokes10Radical阝Frequency#607DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese government and corporate structures, the term 部 is often used to signify important divisions, reflecting the hierarchical nature of these organizations. For instance, the Ministry of Education is referred to as '教育部' (Jiàoyùbù), showcasing the emphasis on official departments in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large building divided into several sections, each labeled with a sign that says '部.' The radical 部 resembles a roof over a division, symbolizing different parts of a whole. The pronunciation 'bù' sounds like 'boot,' helping you remember that each 'boot' belongs to a specific department.
Meanings of 部
bù(bu4)
1ministry
2department
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 部
部Simplified
10Strokes
阝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#607Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRA2
Podcast: 部
Podcast: 部
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AI Study Notes for 部
Quick Contrast
科 (kē) vs 部 (bù): Use 科 for scientific or academic divisions, while 部 is broader and can refer to any department or division.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large building divided into several sections, each labeled with a sign that says '部.' The radical 部 resembles a roof over a division, symbolizing different parts of a whole. The pronunciation 'bù' sounds like 'boot,' helping you remember that each 'boot' belongs to a specific department.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 部 in the correct context; it is mostly formal when referring to government or organizational divisions. Common collocations include '部门' (bùmén, department) and '部队' (bùduì, troops). Watch out for tone confusion; the correct pronunciation is with a falling tone (bù), which is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
部 is not currently in the official HSK vocabulary list, but it is important for understanding organizational structures in Chinese. Students should focus on its use in context, particularly with related words like '部门' and '部落' (bùluò, tribe). This word can help learners grasp more complex structures in later levels.
Cultural Note
In Chinese government and corporate structures, the term 部 is often used to signify important divisions, reflecting the hierarchical nature of these organizations. For instance, the Ministry of Education is referred to as '教育部' (Jiàoyùbù), showcasing the emphasis on official departments in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 部 with 份 (fèn), which means 'part' but is used in different contexts, such as food or shares. For example, saying '一部的书' (yī bù de shū) instead of '一本书' (yī běn shū) for 'a book' is incorrect; the correct classifier for books is '本.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 部
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Grammar Patterns of 部
部 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Consider what your likes and dislikes are about your job.
10
遗憾的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。
yí hàn de shì， ， guò yú jiǎn dān de qíng jié shǐ dé zhè bù diàn yǐng chà qiáng rén。
Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
Cultural Notes for 部
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese government and corporate structures, the term 部 is often used to signify important divisions, reflecting the hierarchical nature of these organizations. For instance, the Ministry of Education is referred to as '教育部' (Jiàoyùbù), showcasing the emphasis on official departments in society.
Word Family of 部
Words Containing This Character20
部bùministry
部分bùfenpart
部门bùméndepartment部門
全部quánbùwhole
俱乐部jùlèbùclub (the organisation or its premises) (loanword)俱樂部
干部gànbùcadre幹部
部落tribe
大部分dàbùfenin large part
内部nèibùinterior內部
部队bùduìarmy部隊
西部xībùwestern part
一部分yībùfenportion
总部zǒngbùgeneral headquarters總部
部长bùzhǎngsection chief部長
胸部xiōngbùchest
部位bùwèiposition
南部nánbùsouthern part
部署bùshǔto dispose
东部dōngbùthe east東部
北部běibùnorthern part
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 部 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 部
You can say '我在市场部工作' (Wǒ zài shìchǎng bù gōngzuò), which means 'I work in the marketing department.'
Yes, while it is more formal, you can also refer to smaller divisions or teams informally. Just be aware of the context.
No, 部 can refer to any department or division in various contexts, including companies and organizations.
