Translation and Meaning of: 分 - fun

The word 「分」 (fun) in the context of Japanese is quite rich and multifaceted, serving various roles within the language and culture. In terms of pronunciation, it takes on different readings, such as 「ふん」 (fun) and 「ぶん」 (bun), depending on the context in which it is used. Its etymology traces back to the Kanji, which is composed of the radical 「刀」 (katana - meaning "sword") and 「八」 (hachi - which can mean "to divide" or "to split into pieces"). Thus, the concept of subdivision or separation is deeply rooted in the word.

In practice, 「分」 is widely used in daily Japanese to express units such as time, percentages, and even in concepts related to a portion or part of something larger. When used to indicate minutes, its readings are 「ふん」 (fun) or 「ぷん」 (pun), as in "sanpun" (3 minutes), reflecting its function in the time measurement system. This specific reading is very common in everyday situations, whether in bus schedules, TV programming, or simply marking daily appointments.

On the other hand, when 「分」 is read as 「ぶん」 (bun), the meaning shifts to the concept of section or block. In this context, it is common to find the word used in expressions like 「作文」 (sakubun), which means essay or composition. This variation underscores the flexibility of Japanese in adapting meanings within different contexts. This ability to allocate different meanings to a single Kanji is what makes the Japanese language a challenge, but also a fascinating field of study for those interested in Asian cultures and languages.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 別 (betsu) - Different, separated
• 区切り (kugiri) - Division, separation (general)
• 部分 (bubun) - Part, section
• 仕切り (shikiri) - Division, separation (in the context of management or control)
• 分け目 (wakeme) - Division, line of separation
• 分け隔て (wakehedate) - Division, distinction (often in a social context)
• 分担 (buntan) - Sharing, shared responsibility
• 分割 (bunkatsu) - Division, fractioning
• 分散 (bunsan) - Dispersion, separation into different parts
• 分配 (bunpai) - Distribution, allocation
• 分析 (bunseki) - Analysis, division into parts for study
• 分類 (bunrui) - Classification, categorization
• 分離 (bunri) - Separation, disconnection
• 分岐 (bunki) - Division, branching (in a context of paths)
• 分解 (bunkai) - Decomposition, breaking into parts
• 分裂 (bunretsu) - Division, split
• 分布 (bunbu) - Distribution, dispersion (geographical)
• 分量 (bunryou) - Quantity, measure of part
• 分度 (bundo) - Division in degrees, angular measurement
• 分野 (bunya) - Field, domain (of study or activity)
• 分身 (bunshin) - Part of me, doppelgänger
• 分泌 (bunpi) - Secretion, release of substances
• 分子 (bunshi) - Molecule, unit of chemistry
• 分数 (bunsuu) - Fractions, representation of parts
• 分母 (bunbo) - Denominator, the bottom part of a fraction
• 分業 (bungyou) - Division of labor, specialization
• 分限 (bungen) - Limit, restriction on division
• 分別 (bunbetsu) - Discernment, distinction between parts
• 分立 (bunritsu) - Independent division, autonomy
• 分隊 (buntai) - Division into units, groups
• 分局 (bunkyoku) - Subdivision of an agency or department
• 分校 (bunkou) - School or branch, educational unit
• 分譲 (bunjou) - Sale in installments, property division
• 分割払い (bunkatsubarai) - Instalment payment, split into payment convenience
• 分かち (wakachi) - Division, separation (more in an aspect of sharing)

分

Romaji: fun
Kana: ふん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: minute

Meaning in English: minute

Definition: To divide or separate something.

Example Sentences - (分) fun

See below some example sentences:

断ることは自分を守ることです。

Kotowaru koto wa jibun o mamoru koto desu

Dizer não é se proteger.

O que se recusa é se proteger.

• 断ること (kotowaru koto) - recusar algo
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• を (wo) - object particle
• 守ること (mamoru koto) - proteger algo
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

Translation - Recusar algo é proteger a si mesmo.

馬鹿は自分が馬鹿であることに気づかない。

Baka wa jibun ga baka de aru koto ni kizukanai

A foolish person does not realize that he is a fool.

The idiot does not realize that he is stupid.

• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• である (dearu) - to be
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• に (ni) - Target particle
• 気づかない (kidzukanai) - do not realize

随分おいしい料理ですね。

Zuibun oishii ryouri desu ne

This is a very delicious dish.

It is a very delicious dish.

• 随分 - adverb meaning "very" or "quite"
• おいしい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality
• ね - Closing tag that indicates a question or a confirmation

飴を食べると幸せな気分になる。

Ame wo taberu to shiawase na kibun ni naru

Eating sweets makes you feel happy.

• 飴 - Japanese sweet in the shape of a ball or cylinder
• を - object particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• と - Comparison particle
• 幸せ - adjective "happy"
• な - suffix that transforms the adjective into a predicate
• 気分 - noun "feeling"
• に - target particle
• なる - verb "become"

養分は植物の成長に必要な栄養素です。

Yōbun wa shokubutsu no seichō ni hitsuyōna eiyōso desu

Nutrition is a necessary nutrient for plant growth.

• 養分 (Younbun) - nutrient
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 植物 (shokubutsu) - plant
• の (no) - possessive particle
• 成長 (seichou) - growth
• に (ni) - indicating the purpose or goal of an action
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• な (na) - adjetivo auxiliar
• 栄養素 (eiyousou) - nutrient
• です (desu) - copula

この部屋の広さは十分です。

Kono heya no hiro sa wa juubun desu

The size of this room is sufficient.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 部屋 - noun "room"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 広さ - noun "size"
• は - topic particle "は"
• 十分 - adjective "enough"
• です - verb to be"

配分は公平であるべきだ。

Haibun wa kouhei de aru beki da

A distribuição deve ser justa.

A distribuição deve ser justa.

• 配分 (haibun) - distribution
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 公平 (kouhei) - justiça, equidade
• である (dearu) - to be
• べき (beki) - deveria, dever
• だ (da) - ser, estar (forma casual)

運命は自分で切り開くものだ。

Unmei wa jibun de kirihiraku mono da

Destiny is something you must pave the way for yourself.

Destiny is something you can open yourself.

• 運命 (unmei) - destination
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• で (de) - Instrument particle
• 切り開く (kiri hiraku) - open the way, clear the way
• もの (mono) - thing
• だ (da) - affirmative form of the verb "to be"

調理は私の得意分野です。

Chōri wa watashi no tokui bun'ya desu

Cooking is my specialty.

Cooking is my specialty.

• 調理 - Food preparation
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 得意 - Skill, specialty
• 分野 - Field, area
• です - is

解釈によって意見が分かれることもある。

Kaisetsu ni yotte iken ga wakareru koto mo aru

Opinions can differ depending on the interpretation.

Opinions can be divided by interpretation.

• 解釈 - interpretation
• によって - according to
• 意見 - opinion
• が - subject particle
• 分かれる - split up
• こと - abstract noun
• も - also
• ある - exist