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参半 (cān bàn) — to be half-and-half; to be equally mixed (of two components)

Definition

Used as a predicate to say a mixture of two opposite feelings or opinions is roughly equal (喜忧参半 = half joy, half worry). Comes after the two things being mixed, not before.

verb
to be half-and-halfto be equally mixed (of two components)

Examples

  • 参半。
    Zhè cì bǐ sài de chéng jì hǎo huài cān bàn.
    The results of this competition are half good and half bad.
  • ，。
    Tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi, tā xīn lǐ xǐ yōu cān bàn.
    Upon hearing this news, his heart was half joy and half worry.
  • ，参半。
    Duì yú zhè ge jì huà, zhī chí yǔ fǎn duì de yì jiàn cān bàn.
    Opinions on this plan are half in favor and half against.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

参cānmix
半bànhalf

参 means to mix and 半 means half, so the word describes components mixed to half-and-half.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 參; 参 is its simplified writing.

For simplified 参, the story belongs to traditional 參, which combines 晶 (stars), 光 (light), and 彡 (rays) to show the Three Stars; one reading takes 光 as a kneeling person looking up.

Open 参 →

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

The shape pairs 八 (to divide) with 牛 (cow), showing a cow cut into two halves.

Open 半 →
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