Definitions

fēn (verb) to divide; to separate; to distribute
fēn (noun) part; fraction; portion
fēn (noun) minute (time)
fēn (noun) point; score (in games)
fèn (noun) part; share; portion

Etymology

Depicts a knife () being used to cut two things apart ().

About

The character 分 is an ideogrammatic compound combining the top component 八, which suggests separation, with the bottom component 刀, representing a knife. This visually conveys the action of cutting something apart. From this concrete image, its meaning extends to dividing, separating, or parting. The sense further broadens to include abstract divisions, such as segments of time (minutes), units of currency (cents), portions of a score, and individual shares or responsibilities.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们苹果吧。

Wǒmen fēn píngguǒ ba.

Let's divide the apples.

这是我的大部钱。

Zhè shì wǒ de dà bùfèn qián.

This is most of my money.

请给我五钟时间。

Qǐng gěi wǒ wǔ fēnzhōng shíjiān.

Please give me five minutes.

他考试得了很高的数。

Tā kǎoshì déle hěn gāo de fēnshù.

He got a very high score on the exam.

请把蛋糕成八份。

Qǐng bǎ dàngāo fēn chéng bā fèn.

Please divide the cake into eight pieces.

他们因意见不合而手了。

Tāmen yīn yìjiàn bùhé ér fēnshǒu le.

They broke up due to disagreements.

我们必须区事实和观点。

Wǒmen bìxū qūfēn shìshí hé guāndiǎn.

We must distinguish between facts and opinions.

他仔细析了问题的每个部

Tā zǐxì fēnxīle wèntí de měi gè bùfèn.

He carefully analyzed every part of the problem.