The Meaning of honbu [本部] In Japanese

本部
ほんぶ
Romaji: honbu N4

What does 本部 mean?

Translation and Meaning

headquarters, main office, command center

Definition

What does 本部 mean? It denotes the central headquarters or command center of an organization, serving as the location for leadership and strategic decision-making, and it contrasts with regional offices or branches.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Headquarters or central office of an organization, government body, or company.
  • Command center in military or police contexts, the base where planning and orders originate.
  • Metaphorically, the central hub or controlling core of a movement or project.

Composition

  • 本 main, origin, basis
  • 部 part, section, department
  • Combined meaning: central or main department that directs operations and decisions

Usage

Used in formal or institutional contexts to refer to the central office of an organization, such as government agencies, corporations, or military forces. Common in official documents, press releases, and organizational charts. Not typically used to refer to a local branch or shop; those are usually 本社 or 支部 depending on the context.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 本 as the root or base and 部 as a department; together they form the central hub where leadership sits and coordinates action.

Variations

  • 司令部 (shireibu) — military command center
  • 本社 (honsha) — corporate head office
  • 中央本部 (chuo honbu) — central headquarters

Example Phrases

  • 本部へ 連絡して 担当者と 今日の 進捗を 確認した。
    honbu e renraku shite tantousha to kyou no shinchoku o kakunin shita
    I contacted the headquarters and checked today’s progress with the person in charge.
    Lista:
    • 本部へ (honbu e) – to the headquarters
    • 連絡して (renraku shite) – contacting
    • 担当者と (tantousha to) – with the person in charge
    • 今日の (kyou no) – today’s
    • 進捗を (shinchoku o) – progress
    • 確認した。 (kakunin shita.) – checked
    「本部」 means headquarters; in this sentence it functions as the destination of the verb 連絡して with the particle へ, indicating the direction of the action. It shows a practical workplace routine using 連絡する to inform or communicate with the HQ.
本部