Japanese Conversation · Level 20
90 words
Japanese word
ハーフ
Pronunciation
Romajihāfu
Meaning
- nounhalf
Example
ピザはハーフでお願いします。pi za wa hā fu de o nega i shi ma su
I would like a half portion of the pizza, please.
More examples
パスタをハーフで二種類選べます。pa su ta o hā fu de ni shu rui era be ma su
You can choose two kinds of pasta in half portions.
Core concept
Marks one of two parts of a whole and, by extension, a person whose parentage connects two different backgrounds.
Common phrases
ハーフでhā fu de
in a half portion
ハーフサイズhā fu sa i zu
half size
Similar words
半分hanbun: One of two equal parts of a whole.
半量hanryō: An amount that is one half of a usual or specified quantity.
Definition in Japanese
全体を二つに分けたうちの一方やその分量。また、日本人と外国人の親を持つ人。zen tai o futa tsu ni wa ke ta u chi no ip pō ya so no bun ryō ma ta nihonjin to gai koku jin no oya o mo tsu hito
Word origin
ハーフ (hāfu) is borrowed from English half, meaning one of two equal parts; Japanese extends the word to a person with one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent.
Usage tips
- In English, half usually needs a noun or clear context, whereas ハーフ (hāfu) can also mean a person with one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent.
Other meanings
- mixed-race personnoun
Opposites
- 全体zentaiwholenoun