分 meaning and stroke order
To divide; to separate; to distribute; to allocate; to distinguish (good and bad)
How to write 分, stroke by stroke
4 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Meaning of 分
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to divide; to separate
- to distribute; to allocate
- to distinguish (good and bad)
- (bound form) branch of (an organization); sub- (as in 分局[fen1 ju2])
- fraction
- one tenth (of certain units)
- part
- share
- ingredient
- component
How 分 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Pieces 八 being further subdivided with a knife 刀 .
Radical: 刀 (knife), shared by 10 characters on this site.
How to remember 分
The top part 八 looks like two pieces pulling apart, and below it is a knife 刀. A knife cuts something into separate pieces, so 分 means to divide.
分 (fēn) is used as a verb for dividing or sharing, and as a measure word for minutes, points, and the smallest unit of money. You will see it constantly in 分钟 (fēnzhōng, minute) and 十分 (shífēn, very). Example: 我们分一个苹果吧。(Wǒmen fēn yí gè píngguǒ ba.) Let's split an apple.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 分 with 今 (jīn, now) or 公 (gōng), since all have a 八 or 人 shape on top. Look at the bottom: 分 has a knife 刀, while 公 has 厶. Also, 分 alone does not mean minute in time phrases like five minutes. You need 五分钟 (wǔ fēnzhōng), not just 五分.
Common words with 分
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 分钟 | fēnzhōng | minute | HSK 2 |
| 部分 | bùfen | part; portion; piece; Taiwan pr. [bu4fen4] | HSK 2 |
| 一部分 | yī bùfen | portion; part of | HSK 2 |
| 十分 | shífēn | very; completely | HSK 2 |
| 分开 | fēnkāi | to separate; to part | HSK 2 |
| 大部分 | dàbùfen | the greater part; the majority; most; Taiwan pr. [da4bu4fen4] | HSK 2 |
| 分数 | fēnshù | (exam) grade; mark | HSK 2 |
| 分别 | fēnbié | to part; to leave each other; to distinguish; to tell apart | HSK 3 |
| 得分 | défēn | to score a point (in a competition, test etc); score; rating; grade | HSK 3 |
| 分配 | fēnpèi | to distribute; to assign | HSK 3 |
| 分组 | fēn zǔ | to divide into groups; group (formed from a larger group) | HSK 3 |
| 分手 | fēnshǒu | to part company; to split up | HSK 4 |
| 过分 | guòfèn | excessive; undue; unduly; overly | HSK 4 |
| 分散 | fēnsàn | to scatter; to disperse | HSK 4 |
分 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 分
Learning 分 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 分
How many strokes are in 分?
分 is written with 4 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 分 mean?
分 (fēn) means to divide; to separate; to distribute; to allocate; to distinguish (good and bad). A common word with it is 分钟 (fēnzhōng), meaning "minute".
How do you pronounce 分?
分 is pronounced fēn, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 分?
The radical of 分 is 刀, which carries the idea of "knife". Dictionaries list 分 under this radical.
Is 分 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 分 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
When is 分 pronounced fèn instead of fēn?
It is read fèn when it means a part, share, or component, as in 成分 (chéngfèn, ingredient) and 水分 (shuǐfèn, moisture). In 部分 it is usually neutral tone bùfen on the mainland.
What does 分 mean when talking about money or scores?
In money, 分 is one hundredth of a yuan, the smallest unit after 元 and 角. With tests and games it means a point, as in 我考了九十分 (wǒ kǎo le jiǔshí fēn), I scored ninety.