分
part · minute of time · segment · share · degree · one's lot · duty · understand · know · rate · 1% · chances · shaku/100
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
八 + sword
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '八' (divide) and '刀' (sword). Dividing with a blade.
Symbolism
Division, time, understanding. Also used for concept of 'understanding'.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Flow of time
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一分一厘
いちぶいちりん
(not even) a bit of; (not even) a hint of; (not) an iota of; (not even) a bit of
九寸五分
くすんごぶ
dagger; dagger
九分九厘
くぶくりん
almost certainly; in all probability; ten to one; almost certainly
五分五分
ごぶごぶ
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; as likely as not
四分五裂
しぶんごれつ
torn asunder; disrupted and disorganized; torn asunder
自分勝手
じぶんかって
selfishness; egotism; egoism; selfishness
政教分離
せいきょうぶんり
separation of church and state; separation of church and state
大義名分
たいぎめいぶん
just cause; good reason; pretext; just cause
思慮分別
しりょふんべつ
discreet and well-advised judgment; wise and mature judgment; making judgment with prudence; discreet and well-advised judgment
冗談半分
じょうだんはんぶん
half joking; being (only) half serious; (in a) jocular vein; half joking
没分暁漢
ぼつぶんぎょうかん
obstinate person; blockhead; obstinate person
Poetry
奥山に もみぢ踏み分け 鳴く鹿の 声聞く時ぞ 秋は悲しき
Poem #5 from Hyakunin Isshu
めぐりあひて 見しやそれとも 分かぬまに 雲がくれにし 夜半の月かな
Poem #57 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 分 mean in Japanese?
分 means part, minute of time, segment, share, degree, one's lot, duty, understand, know, rate, 1%, chances, shaku/100.
How do you read 分?
On'yomi: ブン、フン、ブ (BUN, FUN, BU). Kun'yomi: わ.ける、わ.け、わ.かれる、わ.かる、わ.かつ (wakeru, wake, wakareru, wakaru, wakatsu).
How many strokes does 分 have?
分 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 刀 (knife).
Is 分 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 分 (part, minute of time, segment, share, degree, one's lot, duty, understand, know, rate, 1%, chances, shaku/100) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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