半

• Pinyin: bàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 半 = 八 (divide) + 牛 (ox) — dividing an ox in half

Meaning

Half. One of two equal parts; also used to express 'partly' or 'semi-'.

Used with time (三点半, half past three), quantities (半杯水, half a glass of water), and durations (半个小时, half an hour). Also appears in figurative expressions like 一半 (one half) and 半天 (a long time).

Examples

1. 现在是三点半。 It's half past three now.
2. 我等了半个小时。 I waited for half an hour.
3. 给我半杯水。 Give me half a glass of water.

Usage Guide

Context: time, quantity, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我吃了半个苹果。(I ate half an apple.)
• 现在两点半了。(It's half past two now.)

Don't Say

• 半两个 instead of 一个半 (For 'one and a half', say 一个半, not 半两个)

Origin & History

Composed of 八 (to divide) and 牛 (ox) — the image of dividing an ox into two halves. This vividly represents the concept of splitting something in two.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal