东部
dōngbù · HSK 3
east
🧭 东部 = 东 (east) + 部 (part/region) — the eastern part
东 means east; 部 means section, division, or region (same 部 as in 南部 south part, 西部 west part). Together 东部 literally reads east + region, i.e. the eastern part of a country or area.
东 — sun 日 behind tree 木
Traditionally explained as the sun 日 rising behind a tree 木, pointing to the direction of sunrise — east. Modern paleography suggests the original graph depicted a bundle tied at both ends, and the 'sun-in-tree' reading is a later folk etymology, though it remains the standard mnemonic.
部 — 阝(邑) right + 咅 phonetic
The right-side 阝 derives from 邑 (city/settlement), giving the meaning of a region, district, or administrative division. The left side 咅 supplies the sound. Originally referring to a settlement, the meaning broadened to 'part,' 'section,' or 'ministry.'