二分之一 (èr fēn zhī yī) — one-half

Definition

A formal way to say 'one-half,' written as a fraction (½). Colloquial speech usually prefers 一半, while 半 alone works for dates, hours, and measurements.

noun
one-half
Easily confused

Examples

  • 二分之一。
    Zhè ge dàn gāo wǒ chī le èr fēn zhī yī.
    I ate one-half of this cake.
  • 二分之一。
    Quán bān èr fēn zhī yī de xué shēng dōu cān jiā le bǐ sài.
    Half of the class participated in the competition.
  • 二分之一。
    Zhè dào tí de dá àn shì èr fēn zhī yī.
    The answer to this question is one-half.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

二 is drawn as two parallel strokes, where the number of strokes shows the amount.

Open 二 →

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 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.