bureau, office

JLPT N3 7 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (jú) primarily refers to an office or bureau, such as a government agency or department. It also commonly denotes a specific stage or phase in a process or event, especially in competitions or situations, where it means 'a situation' or 'a phase.' Additionally, it can refer to a physical place like a post office.

Common Collocations

  • 公安局 (gōng'ān jú): Public Security Bureau, a government office responsible for police affairs.
  • 邮局 (yóujú): post office, a place to send and receive mail.
  • 关键局面 (guānjiàn júmiàn): critical situation or turning point, often used in sports or negotiations.

Usage Notes

When refers to an office, it usually implies an official or administrative function. When used to describe a situation or phase (局面), it highlights a particular stage that is important or decisive. This word is formal and often appears in news reports, official documents, or formal speech.

Common Confusions

Don't confuse with 局部 (júbù), which means 'local' or 'partial.' alone is more about an entire office or a whole phase, not a part of something.

Summary

Use when talking about official bureaus, departments, or when describing a significant phase or situation in an event. It is a versatile word that appears in both administrative and figurative contexts.

Example Sentences

He works at the Public Security Bureau, responsible for case investigations.

The match has reached a critical stage, and both sides are very tense.

The post office closes at 5 pm today, remember to send your mail early.