幹部

• Reading: かんぶ
• Romaji: kanbu
• Kanji breakdown: 幹 (kan) — trunk, core, main; 部 (bu) — section, department
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɴ.bɯ/

Meaning

Executive; management; leaders; top brass of an organization.

A noun referring to senior leaders or executives within an organization such as a company, political party, military, or union. Implies decision-making authority and responsibility. Can function as both a title for an individual and a collective noun for the leadership team.

Examples

1. 会社の幹部が集まって今後の方針を話し合った。 The company's executives gathered to discuss future policy.
2. 彼は若くして幹部に昇進した。 He was promoted to management at a young age.
3. 幹部の判断が組織全体に影響を与える。 The decisions of executives affect the entire organization.

Usage Guide

Context: business, politics, military

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 幹 (trunk, core) + 部 (section, group). Literally 'trunk section,' metaphorically referring to the core leadership of an organization, like the trunk of a tree.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal