半 (bàn)
half; semi-; incomplete; (after a number) and a half
- HSK 3.1 level 1
- 5 strokes
Etymology
Depicts separating a cow (牛) into two halves (八).
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“半，物中分也。从八，从牛。牛為物大，可以分也。”
Components
- 八 (iconic) — Depicts splitting into two halves.
- 牛 (iconic)
Example sentences
- 3点半了。 — It's 3:30.
- 现在十点半。 — It's now half past ten.
- 学校3点半放学。 — School is over at 3:30.
- "几点了?""10点半了。" — "What time is it?" "It is ten-thirty."
- 我六点半回来。 — I'll return at 6:30.
View all 50 example sentences for 半 →