总部

• Pinyin: zǒng bù
• Hanzi breakdown: 总 = 心 (heart) + 囟 (fontanel), simplified form meaning general/overall; 部 = 立 (stand) + 口 (mouth) + 阝(city), meaning section

Meaning

Headquarters; head office; main base of operations.

The central command or main office of an organization, company, military force, or institution. Where major decisions are made and top leadership is located. Often contrasted with branch offices or regional divisions.

Examples

1. 这家跨国公司的亚太区总部设在上海，管理着十几个国家的业务。 This multinational company's Asia-Pacific headquarters is in Shanghai, managing operations in over a dozen countries.
2. 联合国总部位于纽约，是各国代表讨论国际事务的重要场所。 The United Nations headquarters is located in New York, serving as an important venue for representatives to discuss international affairs.
3. 他被调到公司总部工作，意味着离晋升又近了一步。 He was transferred to the company headquarters, meaning he's one step closer to promotion.

Usage Guide

Context: business, military, organizations

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 公司总部在北京。(The company headquarters is in Beijing.)
• 这个决定要报总部批准。(This decision needs headquarters' approval.)

Don't Say

• 我家的总部在客厅。(Don't use 总部 for home settings — it's for organizations)

Origin & History

Compound of 总 (general, overall, chief) and 部 (department, section). Together they denote the main or overall department.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal