半分
hanbun[hã̠mbɯ̟̃ɴ]
In Japanese, the word for 'half' is 半分 (hanbun).
半分 is used to refer to one of two roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided.
Meaning: one of two roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 半分 is composed of 半, meaning 'half' and 分, meaning 'part' or 'portion'.
Which one should you use?
While 半分 refers to a mathematical or physical half, the loanword ハーフ is a colloquial term used specifically to refer to people of mixed ethnic heritage.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, you may hear the variation はんぶ instead of 半分.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 半分 can be used directly as a subject or object in a sentence. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'halfway' or 'partially' when it modifies a verb or an adjective. To use 'half' as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'half the price', use the form 半分の.
How do you pronounce it?
hanbun
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'half' is reflected in the 半端 (hanpa) concept, referring to an odd or incomplete amount that does not fit a standard whole.
- The character 半 is a pictograph that originally depicted a split object, visually representing the act of dividing something into two equal parts.
- The character 分 in 半分 is the same character used for 'minute' or 'to understand', linking the idea of a 'part' to the concept of 'division' or 'distribution'.
Examples in context
- 半分よこせ。Give me half of it.This sentence shows how to use 半分 to request a portion of something.Tatoeba #121255 by tommy__san, translation #282751 by CK
- 半分当たってるわ。You're half right.This sentence demonstrates using 半分 to express a partial degree of accuracy.Tatoeba #3367115 by arnab, translation #2218155 by CK
- パンを半分食べました。I ate half the bread.This sentence shows 半分 being used to describe a quantity of food eaten.Tatoeba #10899758 by small_snow, translation #12455091 by CK
- 赤いリンゴを半分に切ってください。Please cut the red apple in half.
- 彼の仕事は中途半端だった。His work was half-done.
- この弁当をはんぶんにしてください。Please divide this bento box in half.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, Hiromi and Hiroto are sharing a cake.
- 陽葵 Himariこのケーキ、半分ずつにしよう。Kono keiki, hanbun zutsu ni shiyou.Let's divide this cake into halves.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった。半分こにするね。Wakatta. Hanbunko ni suru ne.Okay. I'll split it in half.
- 陽葵 Himari半分は私のね。Hanbun wa watashi no ne.Half is mine.
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろん、僕の分も半分あるよ。Mochiron, boku no bun mo hanbun aru yo.Of course, my share is also half.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “half” translations and entries 半分, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
