一半

• Pinyin: yī bàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one (single stroke); 半 = 八 (divide/split) + 牛 (ox) — originally depicted splitting an ox in two

Meaning

Half; one half. Used to express fifty percent or an equal division of something.

Combines 一 (one) + 半 (half). Can be used before a noun or after a verb. Also used figuratively to mean 'partially' or 'about half the time/amount'.

Examples

1. 请给我一半。 Please give me half.
2. 一半的学生来了，一半没来。 Half the students came and half didn't.
3. 他喝了一半的水。 He drank half the water.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, math, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我吃了一半。(I ate half of it.)
• 一半的时间他在睡觉。(Half the time he is sleeping.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'一个半'来表示'一半'。(Don't confuse 一个半 (one and a half = 1.5) with 一半 (half = 0.5) — they are different quantities)

Origin & History

一 (one) + 半 (half). 半 itself is a pictograph of a divided object, and has carried the meaning of 'half' since ancient Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal