{{Grammar Box}}
The Chinese word 半 (bàn) means "half." That's simple enough, but what can get slightly tricky is the rules for how it combines with [[measure word]]s.
== Basic Usage ==
=== Used Alone ===
==== Structure ====
You'll need to use a [[measure word]] (Measure Word) in this structure.
半 + Measure Word + Noun
==== Examples ====
The [[measure word]]s are also indicated below.
* 半 个 小时 bàn gè xiǎoshíhalf an hour
* 半 个 月 bàn gè yuèhalf a month
* 半 碗 米饭 bàn wǎn mǐfànhalf a bowl of rice
* 半 瓶 酒 bàn píng jiǔhalf a bottle of liquor
* 半 份 炒面 bàn fèn chǎomiànhalf a serving of chow mein
=== With a Number ===
When it's more than just a half, then 半 (bàn) comes after the [[measure word]] instead of before. It's the difference between "half an hour" and "an hour and a half."
* 半 个 小时 bàn gè xiǎoshíhalf an hour
* 一 个 半 小时 yī gè bàn xiǎoshían hour and a half
The order is actually basically the same as what we do in English (we just don't have so many pesky measure words to keep track of in English!).
==== Structure ====
Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun
==== Examples ====
* 三 个 半 小时 sān gè bàn xiǎoshíthree and a half hours
* 两 个 半 月 liǎng gè bàn yuètwo and a half months
* 一 斤 半 水果 One "jin" = 500gyī jīn bàn shuǐguǒ one and a half jin of fruit
* 一 瓶 半 白酒 yī píng bàn báijiǔ one and a half bottles of wine
* 四块 半 巧克力 sì kuài bàn qiǎokèlì four and a half pieces of chocolate
== Notable Exceptions ==
There are some words that act as their own measure words, notably the time words 天 (tiān), meaning "day," and 年 (nián), meaning "year."
=== Used Alone ===
==== Structure ====
半 + 天 / 年
==== Examples ====
*半 天 bàn tiānhalf a day
*半 年 bàn niánhalf a year
Note that you do ''not'' need to use 个 (gè) here; in fact, it's ''wrong'' to do so:
- 半 个 天 bàn gè tiānhalf a day
- 半 个 年 bàn gè niánhalf a year
=== With a Number ===
天 (tiān) and 年 (nián) aren't the ''only'' words that take this alternate pattern, but they're the two key ones you need to learn first.
==== Structure ====
Number + 天 / 年 + 半
==== Examples ====
* 两 天 半 liǎng tiān bàntwo and a half days
* 一 年 半 yī nián bàna year and a half
* 三 天 半 sān tiān bànthree and a half days
* 四 年 半 sì nián bànfour and a half years
==See also==
*[[Structure of times]]
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|半|A2|Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun|三 个 半 小时|grammar point|ASGAC1P9}}
{{Used for|Expressing quantity}}
{{Structure|Numbers and Measure Words}}