分
fēn
to divide; to separate
to distribute; to allocate; to distinguish (good and bad); (bound form) branch of (an organization); sub- (as in 分局[fen1 ju2]); fraction; one tenth (of certain units); unit of length equivalent to 0.33 cm; minute (unit of time); minute (angular measurement unit); a point (in sports or games); 0.01 yuan (unit of money)
division (八) + knife (刀) = to divide and separate
The character shows the ancient concept of dividing by cutting - using a blade to split something into separate parts. This core idea extends to all forms of division: separating time into minutes, splitting things into fractions, or distributing resources.
老师把学生分成三组。
lǎo shī bǎ xué shēng fēn chéng sān zǔ
The teacher divided the students into three groups.
这道数学题很难，我分不出对错。
zhè dào shù xué tí hěn nán, wǒ fēn bù chū duì cuò
This math problem is very difficult, I can't distinguish right from wrong.
Words with 分
临时分居
lín shí fēn jū
trial separation
过分
guò fèn
excessive; undue
过去分词
guò qu fēn cí
past participle (in European grammar)
部分
bù fen
part; portion; piece
部分工时
bù fen gōng shí
(Tw) part-time work
酉牌时分
yǒu pái shí fēn
5-7 pm
医药分离
yī yào fēn lí
separating medical consultation from dispensing drugs, proposed policy to counteract perceived PRC problem of "drugs serving to nourish doctors" 以藥養醫|以药养医[yi3 yao4 yang3 yi1]
阶级成分
jiē jí chéng fèn
social composition
离心分离机
lí xīn fēn lí jī
centrifuge
难分难舍
nán fēn nán shě
loath to part (idiom); emotionally close and unwilling to separate
难分难解
nán fēn nán jiě
to become caught up in an irresolvable situation (idiom)
难舍难分
nán shě nán fēn
loath to part (idiom); emotionally close and unwilling to separate