noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
club member; staff member
Refers to a person who belongs to a club, society, or organizational department. Often used in school club contexts.
He became a member of the soccer club this year.
He is a member of the soccer club.
We are recruiting new club members.
We recruited new club members at the start of the term.
Our tennis club doesn't have enough members.
メンバー is a casual, general loanword for 'member' usable for any group, whereas 部員 is the specific Japanese term for a club or departmental member.
団員 is used for a member of a band, troupe, or corps (e.g. 合唱団員), while 部員 is used for a member of a school club or company department.
部員 refers to a member of a 部 (department), a larger unit, whereas 課員 refers to a member of the smaller 課 (section) inside it.
部員 refers to an ordinary club/team member, in contrast to 主将, who is the team's leader or captain.
部下 means a subordinate under someone at work, while 部員 means a member of a club or department, with no hierarchy implied.
The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
More formal than 人 — used for headcounts in reservations, staff lists, and announcements (5名様).
ghost club member; inactive club member
Compound of 部 (ぶ, 'club, department') and 員 (いん, 'member').