Understanding ～分
The suffix ～分 (ふん) is used to indicate minutes as a unit of time. It is attached to numbers to express durations or specific times, such as "5分" (5 minutes) or "30分" (30 minutes).
Usage and Pronunciation
The pronunciation of 分 changes depending on the number it follows, but ～ふん is the most common reading when counting minutes. For example, 1分 (いっぷん), 2分 (にふん), 5分 (ごふん), 10分 (じゅっぷん).
Common Collocations
- ～分遅れ (～ふんおくれ): "~ minutes late"; used to describe delays.
- ～分で終わる (～ふんでおわる): "to finish in ~ minutes"; used to express duration.
- ～分かかる (～ふんかかる): "to take ~ minutes"; used to describe how long something takes.
Register and Usage Notes
This suffix is very common in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike. It is essential for discussing time, schedules, and durations. Learners should be careful with the pronunciation changes and memorize common exceptions like 1分 (いっぷん) and 10分 (じゅっぷん).
Common Mistakes
A frequent learner mistake is to always read 分 as ふん regardless of the number. Remember that 1分 is read いっぷん, 3分 is さんぷん, and 10分 is じゅっぷん. Using the wrong reading can sound unnatural.