半

• 拼音: bàn
• 汉字拆解: 半 = 八 (divide) + 牛 (ox) — dividing an ox in half

含义

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).

例句

1. 现在是三点半。
2. 我等了半个小时。
3. 给我半杯水。

用法指南

语境: time, quantity, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

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

错误说法

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

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal