Definitions

bàn (numeral) half
bàn (adjective) semi; incomplete; partial

Etymology

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

About

The character "半" originates from an ideographic construct combining the element for "divide" above the element for "cow", representing the division of the animal into two equal portions. This structural composition has firmly established its core meaning of "half", a definition that has remained central throughout its historical use. While the graphical form has seen standardization, its semantic application has broadened to create terms indicating partial measures or intermediate stages, such as in expressions for midnight or being halfway through a process, all while maintaining its fundamental connection to the concept of bifurcation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

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

Xiànzài shíjiān shí'èr diǎn bàn.

The time now is half past twelve.

他走了天才到家。

Tā zǒule bàntiān cái dào jiā.

He walked for a long time before he got home.

这个问题我一同意。

Zhège wèntí wǒ yībàn tóngyì.

I half agree with this point.

任务完成了一大

Rènwù wánchéngle yī dà bàn.

The task is more than half finished.

他的话我疑。

Tā de huà wǒ bàn xìn bàn yí.

I half believe and half doubt what he said.

路改变了主意。

Tā bànlù gǎibiànle zhǔyì.

He changed his mind halfway.

开玩笑地说出来。

Tā bàn kāi wánxiào de shuō chūlái.

She said it half-jokingly.