Every Chinese character has a story
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分

分 (fēn) Chinese Character: minute; divide; part

4 strokes · HSK 1 · Radical 刀

八 separates and 刀 cuts: 分 divides a whole into parts.

Practice 分 in the interactive lesson

Chinese character story: Divide a Whole into Smaller Parts

分 (fēn) begins with a simple action: divide one whole into parts. That core idea connects several meanings that may look different in English. A clock divides an hour into sixty 分, “minutes.” A teacher divides a score into points, also 分. People can 分 food, money, or groups, meaning “divide” or “share.” When reading, use the nearby words to choose the right English meaning. In 三点十分, 分 is a minute; in 分两个组, it is the verb “divide.” The first-tone reading fēn is used for the verb and the common time unit. Another reading, fèn, appears in words about a share or role, but beginners can first master fēn. The visual 八 + 刀 gives you a strong, historically grounded memory clue.

Learn 分 with a four-step memory story

Memory story — a learning aid, not the historical origin of the character.

1 · Picture the scene

Four friends share one pizza. You cut it so everyone receives a separate part.

2 · Connect the meaning

分 carries the idea of dividing, and a clock divides each hour into minutes.

3 · Use real Chinese
  • 十分钟: 十 (ten) + 分 (minute) + 钟 (clock) = ten minutes
  • 分两组: 分 (divide) + 两 (two) + 组 (groups) = divide into two groups
  • 分数: 分 (points) + 数 (number) = score or grade
4 · Recall without looking

Why can the same character mean divide, minute, and point?

Show the answer分 (fēn) = minute; divide; part
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes

Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.

分钟
分minute钟clock or timed unit=minute
分开
分separate开apart=separate or split up

Chinese character origin and etymology

分 is traditionally analyzed as 八, “to separate,” above 刀, “knife.” Together they express cutting or dividing something into parts. From the general idea of division, 分 developed many measured meanings, including a minute of time, a point in scoring, and a portion or share.

分 places 八 above 刀. The two upper strokes spread apart, while the lower knife form finishes the idea of division. 分 contains 八 and 刀. These parts act like clues: a component may suggest a meaning category, a pronunciation, or simply preserve part of the character's historical structure.

Chinese character stroke order and structure

分 is written with 4 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.

  • 八 — separate — the upper strokes move apart
  • 刀 — knife — divides a whole into parts

Common usage and sentence patterns

The examples below show 分 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.

现在三点十分。 Xiànzài sān diǎn shí fēn. It is ten minutes past three now.
我们分两个组。 Wǒmen fēn liǎng ge zǔ. We divide into two groups.
这个苹果分一半。 Zhège píngguǒ fēn yí bàn. Divide this apple in half.

Learning tips for 分

Learn the reading as one unit: fēn, with the first tone: high and level. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “minute; divide; part,” and write the 4 strokes from memory.

Because 分 contains reusable components, identify those clues before memorizing the whole shape. Compare it with 半 (bàn, half); 时 (shí, time; hour); 点 (diǎn, o’clock; point). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.

Quick review checklist

  • Can you recognize 分 without pinyin?
  • Can you say fēn with the correct tone and explain “minute; divide; part”?
  • Can you write all 4 strokes in order?
  • Can you use 分 in one short sentence?

Related characters

Learn 分 in a themed collection

Compare this character with related beginner words. A themed path helps you notice useful pairs, word-building patterns, and everyday contexts.

🕒 Chinese Time Words

Continue learning Chinese characters

Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.

Sources and editorial note

HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.

Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.