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:

御負けは勝ちの半分。

Gomake wa kachi no hanbun

Losing is half the winning.

• 御負け - means "defeat" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 勝ち - means "victory" in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 半分 - means "half" in Japanese

支給された給料は十分だった。

Shikyū sareta kyūryō wa jūbun datta

The salary paid was sufficient.

• 支給された - verb 支給 (to provide) in the past and passive tense
• 給料 - noun 給料 (salary)
• は - particle は (marks the topic of the sentence)
• 十分 - adjective 十分 (sufficient, enough)
• だった - verb だ (to be) in the past tense and affirmative

本人は自分自身を知ることが大切だ。

Honjin wa jibun jishin o shiru koto ga taisetsu da

It is important for a person to know themselves.

It is important for a person to know themselves.

• 本人 - means "myself" or "the person herself/himself".
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 自分自身 - means "oneself" or "the person themselves."
• を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action.
• 知る - verb that means "to know" or "to be aware".
• こと - noun that indicates an action or a fact.
• が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action.
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• だ - verb that indicates existence or identity.

清濁を分ける

Seidaku wo wakeru

Separate the pure from the unclean.

Divide the turbidity

• 清 - "dry; clear; clean"
• 濁 - "turbidity; impurity; dirt"
• を - object particle
• 分ける - "to divide; to separate; to share"

玄人はその分野のプロフェッショナルです。

Gennin wa sono bun'ya no purofesshonaru desu

The specialist is a professional in the field.

• 玄人 (Kengin) - Specialist, expert, expert
• は (wa) - Topic particle, indicates the subject of the sentence
• その (sono) - That, that, this
• 分野 (bunya) - Field, area, branch
• の (no) - Possessive particle, indicates that "bunya" is possessed by "kengin."
• プロフェッショナル (purofesshonaru) - Professional
• です (desu) - The verb "to be" indicates that "kengin" is a "purofesshonaru" in "bunya".

私はまだ自分の人生の方向性を模索しています。

Watashi wa mada jibun no jinsei no hōkōsei o mosaku shite imasu

I'm still looking for the direction of my life.

I'm still looking for the direction of my life.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• まだ (mada) - adverb meaning "yet"
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating a relationship of ownership
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• の (no) - connecting particle linking "life" with "方向性"
• 方向性 (hōkōsei) - noun meaning "direction" or "orientation"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 模索しています (mosaku shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "to search" or "to explore"

私は自分自身を篭って考える時間が必要です。

Watashi wa jibun jishin o komotte kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyōdesu

I need time to collect myself and think.

I need time to think and think about myself.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - expression meaning "oneself"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 篭って (kagotte) - gerund verb meaning "to be isolated"
• 考える (kangaeru) - verb meaning "to think"
• 時間 (jikan) - noun meaning "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私は自分の人生を変えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun no jinsei o kaeru koto ga dekimasu

Eu posso mudar minha própria vida.

Eu posso mudar minha vida.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 自分 (jibun) - Japanese reflexive pronoun that means "to oneself."
• の (no) - partícula japonesa que indica posse, neste caso, "meu"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantivo japonês que significa "vida"
• を (wo) - partícula japonesa que indica o objeto direto da frase, neste caso, "vida"
• 変える (kaeru) - verbo japonês que significa "mudar"
• こと (koto) - substantivo japonês que indica uma ação ou evento, neste caso, "mudar"
• が (ga) - partícula japonesa que indica o sujeito da frase, neste caso, "eu"
• できます (dekimasu) - verbo japonês que significa "poder fazer"

私は花を嗅いでいると幸せな気分になります。

Watashi wa hana o kagu to shiawase na kibun ni narimasu

When smelling flowers

I feel happy when I smell the flowers.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 嗅いでいる (kaideiru) - Japanese verb meaning "to smell" in the present continuous tense
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating the consequence or result of the previous action
• 幸せな (shiawasena) - Japanese adjective meaning "happy"
• 気分 (kibun) - Japanese noun meaning "state of mind"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the direction or target of the action
• なります (narimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to become" in the formal present tense