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What is the Kanji for 'Half'? | 半

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Half', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Half' is 半.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Half

    Reading

    kunyomiなか

    naka

    onyomiはん

    han

    Parts

    Divide Dry

    Example Word

    半袖: short sleeve. The Japanese noun '半袖 (はんそで)' refers to 'short-sleeve' clothing, typically shirts or tops. It is commonly used to describe garments that have sleeves covering only the upper part of the arm, as opposed to full-length sleeves. For example: I bought a short-sleeve shirt「半袖のシャツを買いました」(はんそでのシャツをかいました). This short-sleeve shirt is comfortable「この半袖のシャツは快適です」(このはんそでのシャツはかいてきです). The term is often used in the context of summer clothing or casual wear.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    228

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Divide

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dry

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 3 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Judge, Stamp

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accompany, Companion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Edge of, Shore

Words Using

This kanji is used in 16 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 10 kanji contain the part 丷 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fire

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gold

    kanji

    Meaning

    Younger brother

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Proportion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sheep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emperor, Sovereign

    kanji

    Meaning

    Take in, Vicarious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Formerly

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 干 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beach

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sweat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eaves, House counter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Publish, Edition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trunk, Main

    kanji

    Meaning

    Liver

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 半 mean?

半 means 'Half'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.