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:

彼は自分の能力を強めるために毎日練習している。

Kare wa jibun no nouryoku o tsuyomeru tame ni mainichi renshuu shite iru

He practices every day to strengthen his skills.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "he".
• 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
• 能力 - Japanese noun meaning "skill" or "ability"
• を - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "skill"
• 強める - Japanese verb meaning "to strengthen" or "to increase"
• ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "with the aim of"
• 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 練習 - Japanese noun meaning "training" or "practice"
• している - continuous form of the Japanese verb "する", which means "to do"

彼は自分の信念を貫いた。

Kare wa jibun no shinnen o tsuranuita

He followed his belief.

He pierced their beliefs.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or attribution
• 信念 - Japanese noun meaning "belief" or "conviction"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 貫いた - Japanese verb in the past meaning "persevered" or "maintained"

彼の行方は分からない。

Kare no yukue wa wakaranai

Não sei para onde ele foi.

Eu não sei onde ele vai.

• 彼の行方 - "Kare no yukue" significa "o paradeiro dele".
• は - "Wa" é uma partícula gramatical que indica o tópico da frase.
• 分からない - "Wakaranai" significa "não sei" ou "não entendo".

彼女は私と食べ物を分けることを拒否した。

Kanojo wa watashi to tabemono wo wakeru koto wo kyohi shita

Ela se recusou a dividir a comida comigo.

Ela se recusou a separar a comida de mim.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• と (to) - Partícula que indica companhia
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - Comida
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 分ける (wakeru) - Dividir
• こと (koto) - Substantivo que indica ação ou evento
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 拒否する (kyohosuru) - Recusar
• た (ta) - Sufixo verbal passado

彼女は自分の感情を制することができる。

Kanojo wa jibun no kanjou o seisuru koto ga dekiru

Ela consegue controlar suas emoções.

Ela pode controlar suas emoções.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 感情 (kanjou) - emoção
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 制する (seisuru) - controlar
• ことができる (koto ga dekiru) - Be able to

彼女は自分の声を弱めた。

Kanojo wa jibun no koe o yowameta

She lowered her voice.

She weakened her voice.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 声 (koe) - voz
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 弱めた (yowameta) - enfraqueceu

彼女は自分の秘密を暴露した。

Kanojo wa jibun no himitsu o bōro shita

She revealed her secret.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自分 (jibun) - yourself
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 秘密 (himitsu) - secret
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 暴露した (bakuro shita) - revealed/exposed

彼女は自分の能力に傲っている。

Kanojo wa jibun no nouryoku ni ogorotte iru

She is proud of her abilities.

She is arrogant in her abilities.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or destination
• 傲っている (hokotteiru) - be proud, arrogant

彼女は私に何を問うのか分からない。

Kanojo wa watashi ni nani o tou no ka wakaranai

I don't know what she is asking me.

She doesn't know what she asks.

• 彼女 - She
• は - Topic particle
• 私に - for me
• 何を - what
• 問う - Perguntar
• のか - Particle that indicates a question
• 分からない - I don't know

彼女は自分の能力を現すことができた。

Kanojo wa jibun no nouryoku wo arawasu koto ga dekita

She was able to show her skills.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• 自分 - yourself
• の - Possessive particle
• 能力 - Skill, capacity
• を - direct object particle
• 現す - show, demonstrate
• こと - verb noun
• が - subject particle
• できた - be able to, achieve