等分

とうぶん

division into equal parts

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 等分 (とうぶん) specifically refers to dividing something into equal parts. It is commonly used in contexts like cutting food, dividing tasks, or mathematical problems where fairness or precision is important.

Common Collocations

  • 四等分 (よんとうぶん): dividing into four equal parts
  • 等分に切る: to cut into equal parts
  • 等分割の計算: calculation of equal division

Usage Notes

等分 is a noun and often appears with verbs like 切る (to cut) or 分ける (to divide). It is a formal term often used in academic or precise contexts rather than casual speech. When speaking casually, people might say 均等に分ける (きんとうにわける) instead.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 等分 with 均等, which also means equal or uniform. 等分 emphasizes the act of dividing into equal parts, while 均等 is more about equality or uniformity in general. Remember to use 等分 when focusing on the division aspect.

Example Sentences

けーきをよんとうぶんにきってください。

Please cut the cake into four equal parts.

このもんだいはとうぶんにわけるほうほうをかんがえなければならない。

We have to think about how to divide this problem into equal parts.

とうぶんかつのけいさんはすうがくのきほんです。

Calculations involving equal division are fundamental in mathematics.