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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.
Frequency#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.
Memory Mnemonic
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!
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.
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.
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 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 5 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.
My department had a healthy interest in keeping expenses down.
Cultural Notes for 部门
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about 部门
'部门' can be used in sentences like '我们部门负责这个项目.' (Our department is responsible for this project.)
'部门' is primarily used in formal contexts, but can be used informally when discussing work or school settings.
'部门' can refer to multiple departments without needing a specific plural form, as context usually clarifies the number.
