府ふ

noun

urban prefecture; Osaka or Kyoto prefecture

Specifically refers to the two urban prefectures of Osaka and Kyoto, as opposed to 県 (ken) for other prefectures.

• 大おお阪さか府ふと京きょう都と府ふは、日本にほんの二ふたつの府ふです。

  Osaka Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture are the two fu in Japan.

noun

center; seat

Used in compounds to indicate a center of activity, learning, or government, e.g., 学府 (seat of learning).

• この町まちは古ふるくから学がく問もんの府ふとして栄さかえた。

  This town has long flourished as a center of learning.

noun

government office

Refers to a government office or agency; often appears in compound names like 政府 (seifu, government).

• 府ふの職しょく員いんが新あたらしい政せい策さくを説せつ明めいした。

  Officials from the government office explained the new policy.

noun

fu (historical administrative unit)

Historical administrative division in China, Korea, and Vietnam; not used in modern Japanese administration.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの歴れき史し書しょには、多おおくの府ふが登とう場じょうする。

  Many fu appear in Chinese historical records.