bàn HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

现在是九点半。
Xiànzài shì jiǔ diǎn bàn.
It's nine thirty now.
我吃半个苹果。
Wǒ chī bàn gè píngguǒ.
I eat half an apple.
他工作半天。
Tā gōngzuò bàn tiān.
He works half a day.
我吃半个苹果。
Wǒ chī bàn gè píngguǒ.
I eat half an apple.
他跑了一半。
Tā pǎo le yī bàn.
He ran half the distance.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 半 as splitting something into two equal parts—the character looks like two halves (八 above and 十 below, though historically different). Associate it with 'half' in common phrases like 'half an hour' (半小时).

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. Common in expressions involving time, measurements, or partial completion. It often precedes measure words or nouns to indicate half of something.

📖 Grammar Points

半 + Measure Word + Noun (e.g., 半个苹果). Also used in time expressions: 半 + Time Unit (e.g., 三点半). Can be part of adverbs like 半信半疑 (half-believing, half-doubting).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 半 sometimes implies moderation or incompleteness, as in idioms like 半途而废 (give up halfway). It's neutral but can carry nuances depending on context.

🔄 Similar Words

半 vs. 一半: Both mean 'half', but 半 is often used before measure words (e.g., 半个苹果), while 一半 can stand alone or follow nouns (e.g., 苹果的一半). 半 is more versatile in compound words.

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