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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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:

この本はどの分類に入りますか？

Kono hon wa dono bunrui ni hairimasu ka?

What category does this book fit in?

What classification is this book?

• この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, in this case, refers to a specific book
• 本 - noun that means book
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, the book
• どの - interrogative pronoun that means which
• 分類 - noun meaning classification
• に - particle that indicates the syntactic function of a term in the sentence, in this case, indicates the relationship between the book and the classification
• 入ります - verb that means to enter, in this case, is in the present tense and in the polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この図表は非常に分かりやすいです。

Kono zuhyou wa hijou ni wakariyasui desu

This table is very easy to understand.

This chart is very easy to understand.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• 図表 - noun "chart, table"
• は - Topic particle
• 非常に - adverb "very"
• 分かりやすい - adjective "easy to understand"
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

このサービスには申し分ない。

Kono saabisu ni wa moushibun nai

This service is perfect.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• サービス - noun that means "service"
• には - particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place or moment
• 申し分 - noun that means "fault" or "defect"
• ない - suffix indicating negation

この容積は十分ではありません。

Kono yōseki wa jūbun de wa arimasen

This volume is not enough.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 容積 - noun meaning "volume" or "capacity"
• は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
• 十分 - Adjective that means "sufficient" or "adequate"
• ではありません - negative expression meaning "is not"

この説明はとても分かりやすいです。

Kono setsumei wa totemo wakariyasui desu

This explanation is very clear.

This explanation is very easy to understand.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 説明 - noun meaning "explanation"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 分かりやすい - adjective that means "easy to understand"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この商品は処分する必要があります。

Kono shouhin wa shobun suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

This product needs to be discarded.

This product must be discarded.

• この商品 - This product
• は - (topic particle)
• 処分する - To discard
• 必要があります - Is required

主体は自分自身である。

Shutai wa jibun jishin de aru

The subject is himself.

The subject is yourself.

• 主体 (shutai) - subject, individual
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself, yourself
• 自身 (jishin) - yourself, yourself
• である (dearu) - to be

人生を導く道は自分で決めるものだ。

Jinsei wo michibiku michi wa jibun de kimeru mono da

The way to lead life is to decide on your own.

• 人生 - Life
• を - object particle
• 導く - Guide
• 道 - Path
• は - Topic particle
• 自分 - Yourself
• で - Location particle
• 決める - Decide
• もの - Thing
• だ - Completion particle

何と言っていいか分からない。

Nanto itte ii ka wakaranai

I do not know what to say.

I do not know what to say.

• 何と言っていいか - Japanese expression meaning "I don't know what to say"
• 分からない - Japanese verb meaning "not to understand"

内臓は身体の重要な部分です。

Naizou wa shintai no juuyou na bubun desu

Internal organs are an important part of the body.

Internal organs are important parts of the body.

• 内臓 - internal organs
• は - Topic particle
• 身体 - body
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 部分 - part
• です - é (verb to be in the polite form)