About
The character "半" is structurally composed of "八" positioned above "牛", with "八" denoting division and "牛" meaning cow, etymologically representing the splitting of a bovine into two equal portions. This configuration established its primary sense of "half" or "semi-". Over time, while its core meaning persisted, the character has been utilized in numerous compounds to convey related ideas of partial amounts, intermediate stages, or incomplete conditions, as seen in terms like "半价" for half-price or "半生" for midlife.
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。