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分成 (fēn chéng) — to divide (something) into (parts/groups); to split (profits, bonuses) on a percentage basis

Definition

分成 is a transitive verb: divide/split X into Y, including profits by ratio. Unlike 瓜分 (carve up by force) or 分裂 (break apart on its own), it implies a neutral, often planned division.

verb
to divide (something) into (parts/groups)to split (profits, bonuses) on a percentage basis

Examples

  • 分成。
    Tā men bǎ zhè ge dà dàn gāo fēn chéng le sì kuài.
    They divided this big cake into four pieces.
  • 。
    Gōng sī hé yuán gōng àn qī sān fēn chéng lì rùn.
    The company and employees split the profits seventy-thirty.
  • 分成。
    Zhè ge bān bèi fēn chéng liǎng gè xiǎo zǔ.
    This class is divided into two groups.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

分fēndivide
成chéngbecome

分 “divide” and 成 “become” combine to mean divide into parts.

Characters in this word

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
戊戊wù
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng成chéng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Open 成 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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