半 (bàn) Chinese Character: half

Chinese character story: Split One Whole into Two Halves

半 (bàn) means “half.” Imagine folding a circle so the two sides meet exactly. This simple visual gives you the quantity without pretending to explain every ancient stroke. In time expressions, number + 点 + 半 means “half past” the hour, so 三点半 is “half past three.” Before a measure word, 半 describes half of one item: 半个苹果 means “half an apple.” Before a time unit, it describes duration: 半小时 is “half an hour,” and 半年 is “half a year.” 半 has a falling fourth tone, so let your voice move down clearly. Compare 半 with 分: 分 is the action or result of dividing, while 半 names one of the two equal parts after the division.

Chinese character origin and etymology

Traditional dictionary analysis explains 半 as something divided through the middle, with older forms connected to the idea of separating a whole into two parts. The exact ancient components do not work like a modern equation, but the central meaning has remained stable: one of two equal or nearly equal parts.

半 is a balanced five-stroke character with two upper dots, two horizontals, and a vertical stroke through the center. 半 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.

Chinese character stroke order and structure

半 is written with 5 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.

• 半 — half — learn the centered five-stroke form as one unit

Common usage and sentence patterns

The examples below show 半 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.

Learning tips for 半

Learn the reading as one unit: bàn, with the fourth tone: a sharp fall. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “half,” and write the 5 strokes from memory.

Because 半 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 分 (fēn, divide; minute); 二 (èr, two); 时 (shí, time; hour). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.

Quick review checklist

• Can you recognize 半 without pinyin?
• Can you say bàn with the correct tone and explain “half”?
• Can you write all 5 strokes in order?
• Can you use 半 in one short sentence?

Related characters

• 分 (fēn) — divide; minute
• 二 (èr) — two
• 时 (shí) — time; hour

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.