一部分

• Pinyin: yī bù fen
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = single horizontal stroke meaning 'one'; 部 = 咅 (phonetic) + 阝 (city radical); 分 = 八 (divide) + 刀 (knife)

Meaning

A part; a portion. Refers to one section or fraction of a whole.

Used to indicate a portion of something larger, whether people, money, time, or objects. Often paired with 另一部分 (another part) to describe how something is divided. Can be modified with 大 (large) or 小 (small) to indicate relative size.

Examples

1. 这笔钱的一部分用来买书。 Part of this money is used to buy books.
2. 班里一部分同学选了英语课。 Some of the students in the class chose the English course.
3. 我只看了一部分，还没看完。 I've only read part of it — I haven't finished yet.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, academic

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 一部分人同意，一部分人不同意。(Some people agree, and some don't.)
• 工资的一部分要存起来。(A portion of the salary should be saved.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了苹果的一部分个。(Don't add a measure word after 一部分 — say 苹果的一部分, not 一部分个.)

Origin & History

Combination of 一 (one) and 部分 (part/portion). 部分 itself is composed of 部 (section) and 分 (divide).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal