Definition
一半 (yī bàn) means 'half' and is used as a noun, often followed by 的 (e.g., 一半的苹果 'half of the apple'). 半 (bàn) is used directly before a measure word (e.g., 半杯水 'half a glass of water') or after a number (e.g., 一个半 'one and a half'). Use 一半 when you need a standalone 'half of something'; use 半 when combining with a measure word or number.
numeral
half
Easily confused
- 一般yī bānsound-alikeordinary, common, so-so
Examples
- 。Wǒ chī le yí bàn de píngguǒ.I ate half an apple.
- 。Wǒ hē le yí bàn de shuǐ.I drank half of the water.
- 。Yí bàn de rén lái le.Half of the people have come.
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