About
半 is an ideogram meaning a half or to divide something into two equal parts. It combines the top component 八 (bā), which originally depicted splitting, over the cow radical 牛 (niú). This structure historically represented the act of butchering a cow by cleanly splitting it into two portions. Over time, the character lost its specific association with livestock and generalized to denote the fraction one half, as well as incomplete actions or a midpoint in a process.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
半杯牛奶就够了。
现在时间十二点半。
他走了半天才到家。
这个问题我一半同意。
任务完成了一大半。
他的话我半信半疑。
他半路改变了主意。
她半开玩笑地说出来。