下部
Meanings
lower part; bottom section; substructure
Refers to the lower portion of a physical object, a page or screen, a diagram, a structure, and similar things. In compounds such as 下部構造 it can mean the substructure or underlying lower structure.
There is a search button at the bottom of the screen.
The lower part of the building was flooded.
subordinate office; lower-level organization
Administrative or organizational use, most naturally seen in compounds such as 下部組織 and 下部機関, meaning a body lower in a hierarchy.
This organization has subordinate branches across the country.
subordinate; loyal servant; faithful servant
Rare or old-fashioned use for a person in a low or serving position. Modern Japanese normally uses other words such as 部下 or しもべ depending on the context.
In an older sense, 下部 (kabu) can refer to someone who serves a master.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の下部に〈物〉があるthere is something at the bottom part of ~
A menu appears at the bottom of the screen.
- 〈組織〉の下部に置くto place under a larger organization as a subordinate body
This department is placed under the head office as a subordinate unit.
- 〈物〉の下部を支えるto support the lower part of something
The pillars supporting the lower part of the bridge have deteriorated.