To cut something apart with a blade. To divide, share, grade, or mark parts; also a point, minute, or fraction. A knife (刀) slicing something into two (八) cleanly apart.
The character 分 combines 八 (to divide, eight) on top and 刀 (knife) on the bottom. The image is a knife splitting something into two, giving the core meaning of dividing, separating, or sharing.
分 as a verb often needs a complement like 开 to mean physically split; without it, it sounds incomplete.
分 alone means divide, but to share a burden you need 分担; using 分 alone sounds like you are cutting the work.
分 means divide or minute; 份 means a portion or copy.
分 (fēn) is a verb meaning to divide or a noun meaning minute. 份 (fèn) is a measure word for portions, copies, or shares. They look similar but have different tones and uses.
| Dimension | 分 (fēn) | 份 (fèn) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | divide, minute | portion, copy |
| Part of speech | verb, noun | measure word, noun |
| Example | 五分钟 (five minutes) | 一份礼物 (a gift) |
Use 分 with a complement like 开 or 给 to show separation or sharing.
分 alone can mean divide, but in natural speech it often pairs with complements: 分开 (separate), 分给 (distribute to), 分享 (share). Without a complement, it may sound abrupt.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Separate | 分开 | 分 |
| Share | 分享 | 分 |
| Distribute | 分给 | 分 |
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
工作两三年，休息四五天，读书一小时，吃饭五 分钟 。
This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.
分钟 钟在哪儿？
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