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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

    前半: first half. The Japanese noun '前半 (ぜんはん)' refers to the 'first half' of something, such as a period of time, a game, or a book. It is commonly used to divide events, matches, or time periods into two parts. For example: The first half of the game was exciting「前半の試合は興奮した」(ぜんはんのしあいはこうふんした). I finished the first half of the book「本の前半を読み終えた」(ほんのぜんはんをよみおえた). This term is often used in contexts like sports, academic semesters, or performances to describe the initial portion of an event or period.

    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:

    word

    半月

    Meaning

    Half month

    word

    半日

    Meaning

    Half day

    word

    Meaning

    Half

    word

    半分

    Meaning

    Half

    word

    後半

    Meaning

    Second half

    word

    半袖

    Meaning

    Short sleeve

    word

    半ば

    Meaning

    Middle, Halfway

    word

    半年

    Meaning

    Half year

    word

    半島

    Meaning

    Peninsula

    word

    大半

    Meaning

    Majority

    word

    前半

    Meaning

    First half

    word

    半身

    Meaning

    Half body

    word

    半面

    Meaning

    Aspect

    word

    半数

    Meaning

    Half

    word

    半導体

    Meaning

    Semiconductor

    word

    半径

    Meaning

    Radius

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.