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March 24, 2026
部门(部門)bùmén(bu4men2)
部门 (bùmén) refers to a specific division or section within an organization, such as a company or government. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe various functional units like human resources, finance, or marketing, highlighting the structural organization of a group.
Strokes13Frequency#1747DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the structure of government and large organizations often features numerous formal departments, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and specialization in both business and bureaucratic contexts. Understanding '部门' is crucial for navigating professional environments.
Memory Tip
Think of '部门' as a door (门) that opens to different parts (部) of a building. Imagine each door leads to a different department, allowing you to explore various functions within an organization. The 'bu' in '部门' sounds like 'boo', which you might say when surprised to find a new department!
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AI Study Notes for 部门
Quick Contrast
科 (kē) vs 处 (chù) — use 部门 when referring to a broader organizational division, while 科 typically denotes a specialized field or discipline within a department.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse '部门' with similar terms like '科室' (kēshì), which specifically refers to departments in hospitals or academic institutions. Use '部门' in formal settings when discussing organizational structures, and remember that it typically pairs with verbs like '设立' (shèlì - to establish) or '管理' (guǎnlǐ - to manage).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '部门' connects to other organizational vocabulary you may encounter, like '公司' (gōngsī - company) and '经理' (jīnglǐ - manager). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to job roles and responsibilities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly say '部门的' (bùmén de) when referring to something specific, like '部门的经理' (the manager of the department), when in fact it should simply be '部门经理' (bùmén jīnglǐ) to mean 'department manager'. Moreover, be cautious with tones; using the wrong tone can lead to confusion.
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Pronunciation of 部门
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部门 (bùmén) refers to a specific division or section within an organization, such as a company or government. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe various functional units like human resources, finance, or marketing, highlighting the structural organization of a group.
When to use 部门
Be careful not to confuse '部门' with similar terms like '科室' (kēshì), which specifically refers to departments in hospitals or academic institutions. Use '部门' in formal settings when discussing organizational structures, and remember that it typically pairs with verbs like '设立' (shèlì - to establish) or '管理' (guǎnlǐ - to manage).
部门 or something close to it
科 (kē) vs 处 (chù) — use 部门 when referring to a broader organizational division, while 科 typically denotes a specialized field or discipline within a department.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say '部门的' (bùmén de) when referring to something specific, like '部门的经理' (the manager of the department), when in fact it should simply be '部门经理' (bùmén jīnglǐ) to mean 'department manager'. Moreover, be cautious with tones; using the wrong tone can lead to confusion.
Write 部门
部
门
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Grammar Patterns of 部门
部门 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 4 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.
