部分

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Character Breakdown

Usage of 部分

The word 部分 (bùfen) primarily means 'part' or 'portion' and is used to refer to a segment or fraction of a whole. It can describe physical parts, abstract segments like chapters or sections, or subsets of groups such as 'some people' or 'some students.'

Common contexts

  • When talking about parts of objects or texts, 部分 often pairs with ordinal numbers or descriptive phrases, e.g., 第一部分 (the first part).
  • It can indicate a subset within a group, often translated as 'some' or 'a portion of,' e.g., 部分学生 (some students).
  • It is frequently used in formal or written contexts but also common in spoken language.

Collocations and patterns

Nuances

Using 部分 emphasizes that what is being referred to is not the whole but a distinct segment. It differs from 全部 (whole, entire) and (some, a few) by focusing on a definable part rather than an indefinite quantity. Avoid confusing 部分 with (fèn), which often refers to shares or portions in a distributive sense.

Summary

Use 部分 when you want to specify a clear part or segment of something, whether physical, textual, or group-related. It is versatile and common in both formal and informal contexts.

Example Sentences

The first part of this book describes the historical background.

Some students are dissatisfied with the exam results.

This plan has only completed part of the work; more effort is needed.