jat1 bun3一半
Jyutpingjat1 bun3
Yaleyāt bun
Definition
One half; one of two equal parts.
colloquialnumbersdaily actions
How it's used
Often used to describe a portion of something tangible, but it also frequently appears in abstract contexts to describe progress or time. When referring to a specific object, it is common to place the noun before it, such as 蛋糕一半, though the structure 一半嘅蛋糕 is also perfectly acceptable. It carries a sense of division into two equal parts, distinguishing it from general quantifiers.
Examples
I want half of this apple.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 一半 with 半, but they are not always interchangeable. While 半 can function as a prefix for time or units like 半個鐘, 一半 is used as a noun or pronoun to represent the actual quantity of half.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
