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 words.

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 words 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

Basic Usage

Used Alone

Structure

Examples

With a Number

Structure

Examples

Notable Exceptions

Used Alone

Structure

Examples

With a Number

Structure

Examples

See also