Japanese word

半分

Pronunciation

Romajihanbun

Meaning

  • nounhalf

Example

ケーキを半分食べました。kē ki o han bun ta be ma shi ta

I ate half of the cake.

Illustration for 半分 (half)

More examples

りんごを半分に切ります。ri n go o han bun ni ki ri ma su

I cut the apple in half.

ピザを半分に切ってください。pi za o han bun ni ki tte ku da sa i

Please cut the pizza in half.

Core concept

Describes one of two equal parts of a whole or an amount that makes up 50 percent of it.

Common phrases

  • 半分に切るhan bun ni ki ru

    cut in half

  • 半分だけhan bun da ke

    only half

  • 半分ほどhan bun ho do

    about half

Similar words

半量hanryō: An amount equal to 50 percent of a whole amount.
二分の一nibunnoichi: A fraction representing one of two equal parts of a whole.

Definition in Japanese

全体を二つに等しく分けたうちの一つ。また、その量。zen tai o futa tsu ni hito shi ku wa ke ta u chi no hito tsu ma ta so no ryō

Word origin

半分 (hanbun, "half") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 半 (han, "half") and 分 (bun, "part").

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, 半分 (hanbun, "half") can answer a question about how much was eaten, bought, or left when the relevant whole is already understood.

Opposites

Word lists with this word