Meaning
部分 means a part or portion of something larger. It refers to one component or section that makes up a whole, whether physical (like parts of an object) or abstract (like parts of a plan or population). It's commonly used to divide things into segments or to indicate that only some members of a group are being referred to.
Usage
Native speakers use 部分 both as a noun ("a part") and as an attributive before another noun ("some/partial"). It's formal enough for written Chinese but also common in speech. Often paired with 一 (yī bù fen) to mean "one part" or "some." Can be used with 的 to modify nouns: 部分的人 (some people).
Examples
- 01大部分学生都通过了考试。.Most of the students passed the exam.
- 02这只是问题的一部分。.This is only part of the problem.
Characters
Common collocations
- 一部分a part, some
- 大部分most, the majority
- 小部分a small part, minority
- 部分时间part-time, some of the time
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 部 (section/department) with 分 (to divide), literally meaning "divided section" or "portion." Both characters have ancient origins in administrative and division concepts.