府

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

广 (집 엄) — semantic element, meaning “building,” “structure,” or “house.”

付 (부칠 부) — phonetic component, providing the pronunciation fǔ / 부 and implying the notion of management or handing over (as in “entrusted place”).

广 + 付 → 府

literally “a building (广) where things are handed over or managed (付).”

Thus, 府 denotes an official establishment or repository — a place where duties, goods, or governance are administered.

Originally, 府 referred to a government storehouse for grain and documents.

During the Qin–Han period, the meaning broadened to any administrative office — hence terms like 尙書府 (Shangshu-fu, Secretariat) or 太府 (Grand Treasury).

政府 (정부) — government

府上 (부상) — your residence (honorific)

首府 (수부) — provincial capital

軍府 (군부) — military headquarters

內府 (내부) — imperial treasury

官府 (관부) — government office

財府 (재부) — treasury, financial department

學府 (학부) — academy, institute of learning

警府 (경부) — police office

府庫 (부고) — storehouses and treasuries