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:

私たちは公平な取り分を受け取りました。

Watashitachi wa kōhei na toribun o uketorimashita

Nós recebemos uma divisão justa.

Recebemos uma parte justa.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 公平な - "justo" ou "equitativo" em japonês
• 取り分を - "parte" ou "participação" em japonês
• 受け取りました - "recebemos" em japonês

私たちは常に自分自身を超えることができます。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni jibun jishin o koeru koto ga dekimasu

Sempre podemos ir além de nós mesmos.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 常に - "Sempre" em japonês
• 自分自身を - "A si mesmo" em japonês
• 超えることができます - "Podemos superar" em japonês

私の身分は中流階級です。

Watashi no mibun wa chuuryuu kaikyuu desu

My status is a middle class.

• 私の身分 - "My social position"
• は - Topic particle
• 中流階級 - "Middle class"
• です - Polite form of "to be"

自分の努力で才能が殖える。

Jibun no doryoku de sainou ga fuetoru

Your talent will grow with your own efforts.

• 自分 - personal pronoun that means "myself"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 努力 - noun meaning "effort, endeavor"
• で - particle that indicates means, in this case, "through"
• 才能 - noun that means "talent, skill"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "talent"
• 殖える - Verb that means "to grow, increase"

自分の行動を省みることが大切です。

Jibun no kōdō o kangaeru koto ga taisetsu desu

É importante refletir sobre nossas próprias ações.

É importante refletir sobre suas ações.

• 自分の行動 - comportamento próprio
• を - object particle
• 省みる - reflect
• こと - abstract noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - verb to be in the present

自然科学は私の専門分野です。

Shizen kagaku wa watashi no senmon bun'ya desu

Natural science is my specialty.

• 自然科学 - Natural Science
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - my
• 専門分野 - field of specialization
• です - is

要因を分析する必要がある。

Youin wo bunseki suru hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to analyze the causal factors.

It is necessary to analyze factors.

• 要因 - noun meaning "factor" or "cause"
• を - direct object particle
• 分析する - "to analyze"
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が - subject particle
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

訳が分からない。

Wakari ga wakaranai

I do not understand reason / do not understand the situation.

I do not know why.

• 訳 (yaku) - means "translation" or "explanation"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 分からない (wakaranai) - means "not understanding" or "not comprehending"