本部

ほんぶ

headquarters

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"本部" (ほんぶ) refers to the main office or headquarters of an organization, company, or group. It is commonly used to indicate the central place where management and key decisions are made.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "本部" in business settings, emergency response situations, and organizational structures. For example, a company’s main office or the command center during a disaster is called "本部".

Collocations and Patterns

  • 本部長 (ほんぶちょう): head of headquarters, a common title for the leader of the main office.
  • 本部を置く: to establish a headquarters.
  • 本部からの指示: instructions from headquarters.

Register and Nuance

"本部" is a formal term used in professional and official contexts. It is not casual and usually appears in written or formal spoken Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "本部" with "事務所" (office) or "支店" (branch). Remember, "本部" is the central or main office, while "支店" is a branch office and "事務所" can be any office location.

Example Sentences

かいしゃのほんぶはとうきょうにあります。

The company's headquarters is in Tokyo.

さいがいじにはほんぶがしじをだします。

During a disaster, the headquarters gives instructions.

ほんぶちょうはかいぎでじゅうようなはつげんをしました。

The head of headquarters made an important statement at the meeting.