分 – Minute / Divide / Understand (Bun / Fun / Wakeru Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 分.
Kanji 分 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
分 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 自分 (jibun – oneself) and 部分 (bubun – part, portion).
Means "to divide, to split," as in 分ける (wakeru – to divide something).
分 Stroke Order – How to Write 分
分 is written with 4 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the left and right diagonal strokes forming a wide "eight" shape at the top, then the vertical stroke, finishing with the hook to the right.
Common Words Using 分 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 分, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 分
See 分 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
駅まで五分かかります。
えきまで ごふん かかります。
Eki made gofun kakarimasu.
It takes five minutes to the station.
この漢字の意味が分かりません。
この かんじの いみが わかりません。
Kono kanji no imi ga wakarimasen.
I don't understand the meaning of this kanji.
ケーキを半分にしましょう。
けーきを はんぶんに しましょう。
Keeki o hanbun ni shimashou.
Let's split the cake in half.
自分で決めてください。
じぶんで きめてください。
Jibun de kimete kudasai.
Please decide for yourself.
多分、明日雨が降ります。
たぶん、あした あめが ふります。
Tabun, ashita ame ga furimasu.
It will probably rain tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions About 分
What does the Kanji 分 mean?
分 has several related meanings: minute (of time), to divide or share, and to understand. It appears in everyday words such as 五分 (gofun, five minutes) and 分かる (wakaru, to understand).
What is the Onyomi reading of 分?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 分 are ブン (bun), as in 自分 (jibun, oneself), フン (fun), used for minutes, as in 五分 (gofun, five minutes), and ブ (bu), used in words such as 十分 (juubu, sufficiently).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 分?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings of 分 are わ.ける (wakeru, to divide) and わ.かる (wakaru, to understand), as in 分ける (wakeru, to split something) and 分かりました (wakarimashita, I understood).
How many strokes does 分 have?
分 is written with 4 strokes.
Is 分 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 分 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is essential for telling time in minutes and for the verb 分かる (wakaru, to understand).
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