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八分 (bā fēn) — (noun) Eastern Han clerical script style (八分书), a calligraphy style; (noun) eight tenths, 80% (less common than 八成)

Definition

Calligraphy term for the Eastern Han clerical script style (八分书), distinct from regular 隶书. The sense '80%' (≈ 八成) is rare; only the calligraphy meaning is standard in modern usage.

noun
Eastern Han clerical script style (八分书), a calligraphy styleeight tenths80% (less common than 八成)

Examples

  • 八分。
    Zhè fú shū fǎ zuò pǐn yòng de shì bā fēn tǐ.
    This calligraphy piece uses the bafen style.
  • 八分。
    Tā xiě bā fēn xiě dé fēi cháng hǎo.
    He writes the bafen script very well.
  • 八分。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù yǐ jīng wán chéng le bā fēn.
    This project is already 80% complete.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

八bāeight
分fēnpart

八 (eight) combines with 分 (parts) to mean eight parts or 80%.

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 →
Appears in
Art & Fine Arts

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