分fēn

分

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

Modern simplified form (簡體). 分 (fēn, "to divide; part") — the traditional and simplified forms are identical — combines 八 (bā, "eight," suggesting division) with 刀 (dāo, "knife"), picturing a blade cutting something apart. It appears in 份 (portion), 粉 (powder), and 貧 (poor), among many other compounds.

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Shuowen

分 (fēn) consists of a knife (刀) above the number eight (八), depicting a blade cutting an object into two parts. In oracle bone script the character shows a knife blade pressing down onto something, with the top representing the sharp edge that splits it. The original meaning of "to divide" is conveyed by this imagery, and the modern form retains the knife and eight components to indicate splitting.

Pinyin

fēn· HSK 1

分fēn

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin