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八分之一 (bā fēn zhī yī) — (measure word) one eighth; one-eighth of (a whole)

Definition

A precise fraction meaning 'one eighth' (⅛) of a whole. Used in formal, mathematical, or measured contexts where an exact share is required, rather than approximate amounts.

classifier
one eighthone-eighth of (a whole)

Examples

  • 八分之一。
    bā fēn zhī yī De xué shēng xuǎn zé le zhè ge kè chéng.
    One eighth of the students chose this course.
  • ，八分之一。
    Gēn jù diào chá, bā fēn zhī yī de rén kǒu zhù zài chéng shì lǐ.
    According to the survey, one eighth of the population lives in cities.
  • 八分之一。
    Tā zhī xū yào bā fēn zhī yī de shí jiān jiù néng wán chéng zhè xiàng gōng zuò.
    He only needs one eighth of the time to finish this task.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

八 shows two bent lines, indicating the original meaning 'to divide'; it was later used for 'eight' because the words sounded alike.

Open 八 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →
Appears in
Numbers & Counting

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