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:

商業は経済の重要な分野です。

Shōgyō wa keizai no jūyōna bun'ya desu

Trade is an important sector of the economy.

Commercial is an important field of economics.

• 商業 - trade
• は - Topic particle
• 経済 - economy
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 分野 - Field, area
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

分析は重要なスキルです。

Bunseki wa juuyou na sukiru desu

Analysis is an important skill.

Analysis is an important skill.

• 分析 (ぶんせき) - analysis
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 (じゅうよう) - important
• な - adjective particle
• スキル (すきる) - ability
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

分配は公平でなければなりません。

Bunpai wa kōhei de nakereba narimasen

The distribution must be fair.

The distribution must be fair.

• 分配 (bunpai) - distribution
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 公平 (kouhei) - fair, equitable
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or the way in which something is done
• なければなりません (nakereba narimasen) - expression indicating an obligation or need to do something

分かることが大切です。

Wakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to understand.

It is important to understand.

• 分かる - wakaru - verb meaning "to understand" or "to comprehend"
• こと - koto - noun meaning "thing" or "subject"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - taisetsu - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

分数を計算するのは難しいです。

Bunsuu wo keisan suru no wa muzukashii desu

Calculating fractions is difficult.

It is difficult to calculate fractions.

• 分数 - means "fraction" in Japanese.
• を - object particle.
• 計算する - verb meaning "to calculate".
• のは - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 難しい - adjective meaning "difficult".
• です - verb that indicates the polite form of "to be" or "to be" in Japanese.

人生は時に分かれる道を選ばなければならない。

Jinsei wa toki ni wakareru michi o erabanakereba naranai

Sometimes in life

Life must choose a path sometimes divided.

• 人生 (jinsei) - Life
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 時に (toki ni) - Sometimes
• 分かれる (wakareru) - divide
• 道 (michi) - Path
• を (wo) - object particle
• 選ばなければならない (erabanakereba naranai) - You must choose

この試みは成功するかどうか分かりません。

Kono kokoromi wa seikou suru ka dou ka wakarimasen

I don't know if this attempt will be successful.

I don't know if this attempt will be successful.

• この試み - "This attempt"
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - "Being successful"
• かどうか - "Whether or not"
• 分かりません - "I don't know"

この商品の取り扱いには十分注意してください。

Kono shouhin no toriatsukai ni wa juubun chuui shite kudasai

Please be careful enough when handling this product.

Be careful when handling this product.

• この商品 - This product
• の - Possessive particle
• 取り扱い - Handling
• には - Particle that indicates focus or attention
• 十分 - Sufficient
• 注意 - Attention
• してください - Please, do it.

この地域の人口分布は均等ではありません。

Kono chiiki no jinkou bunpu wa kintou de wa arimasen

The population distribution in this region is not uniform.

The population distribution in this area is not equal.

• この - Japanese word meaning "this"
• 地域 - Japanese word meaning "region"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or belonging
• 人口 - Japanese word meaning "population"
• 分布 - Japanese word meaning "distribution"
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 均等 - Japanese word meaning "uniform" or "the same"
• で - Japanese particle indicating the means or method
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• ありません - Japanese verb meaning "does not exist" or "is not"

あなたは自分の選択を絞る必要があります。

Anata wa jibun no sentaku o shiboru hitsuyō ga arimasu

You need to narrow your choices.

• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分の (jibun no) - Japanese possessive pronoun meaning "your own"
• 選択 (senta ku) - Japanese noun meaning "choice/selection"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 絞る (shiboru) - Japanese verb meaning "to restrict/limit"
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "it is necessary"