半

bàn

丨 + 丷 + 二

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

bàn (numeral) half

bàn (adjective) semi; incomplete; partial

Etymology

Depicts separating a cow (牛) into two halves (八).

About

The character 半 is an ideogram formed by placing 八 (originally meaning 'to split' or 'to divide') above 牛 (cow). This structure directly illustrates the concrete act of butchering a cow by splitting it cleanly into two equal halves, likely for distribution and consumption. Over time, the character shed its exclusive connection to livestock butchery and its meaning expanded to the general notion of 'half.' Today, 半 can refer to a mathematical fraction, a physical portion, or a state of being incomplete, partial, or in the middle of an action or process.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

半杯牛奶就够了。

Bàn bēi niúnǎi jiù gòu le.

Half a glass of milk is enough.

现在时间十二点半。

Xiànzài shíjiān shí'èr diǎn bàn.

The time now is half past twelve.

他走了半天才到家。

Tā zǒule bàntiān cái dào jiā.

He walked for a long time before he got home.

这个问题我一半同意。

Zhège wèntí wǒ yībàn tóngyì.

I half agree with this point.

任务完成了一大半。

Rènwù wánchéngle yī dà bàn.

The task is more than half finished.

他的话我半信半疑。

Tā de huà wǒ bàn xìn bàn yí.

I half believe and half doubt what he said.

他半路改变了主意。

Tā bànlù gǎibiànle zhǔyì.

He changed his mind halfway.

她半开玩笑地说出来。

Tā bàn kāi wánxiào de shuō chūlái.

She said it half-jokingly.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丨

Component: 丷

Component: 二

半