ハブ

はぶ
noun
hub, center
1. hub, center, nexus
A central point of activity, connection, or distribution. Used for transportation hubs, network hubs, and figurative centers of activity.
ハブ空港(くうこう)として機能(きのう)する。
To function as a hub airport.
この(えき)交通(こうつう)のハブになっている。
This station serves as a transportation hub.
東京(とうきょう)はアジアのビジネスのハブとして重要(じゅうよう)役割(やくわり)()たしている。
Tokyo plays an important role as a business hub in Asia.

USAGE:
ハブ is most commonly used in transportation (ハブ空港(くうこう), hub airport) and technology (USBハブ, USB hub) contexts. It can also be used figuratively for any central point of activity or connection.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH:
ハブ also refers to a venomous pit viper (波布(はぶ)) native to Okinawa, but that is a different word.
ハブる (slang) means 'to exclude someone from a group' and is derived from (はぶ)く, not from the English 'hub.'

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ハブ空港(くうこう): hub airport
  • USBハブ: USB hub
  • 交通(こうつう)ハブ: transportation hub
  • 物流(ぶつりゅう)ハブ: logistics hub