北部
běibù · HSK 3
the north
⬆️ 北 = north + 部 = part/section; together: northern part
北 means north (think compass bearing). 部 means section, part, or division (as in 部分 bùfèn = part). Combined, 北部 literally reads north-section, used for the northern region of a country or area.
北 — two people 人 back-to-back
北 originally pictured two people standing back-to-back, meaning 'back' or 'to turn one's back on.' Because people in ancient China faced south, their backs pointed north, so 北 came to mean 'north.' The original 'back' sense was later written with 背 (adding 月/flesh).
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.'