noun
boss; leader; head (of a group)
Informal term for a boss or leader, especially in yakuza or criminal contexts, but can be used jokingly for any group leader. Often contrasted with 子分 (underling).
See also: 親分
あの組の親びんはとても怖いらしい。
I hear the boss of that gang is really scary.
彼はチームの親びん的存在だ。
He's the leader figure of the team.
Antonym; refers to a follower or underling in a hierarchical group, often used in yakuza contexts.
Compound of 親 (oya, 'parent') and 分 (bun, 'part' or 'role'), literally 'parent role'. The reading びん is a rendaku (voicing) of 分 (ぶん).