分(ぶん)

ぶん
noun, suffix
portion; share; amount; extent
quantity
1. portion; share; one's part
A share or portion of something that has been divided, or the amount that belongs to or is allocated to a person.
これは私(わたし)の分(ぶん)です。
This is my share.
三人(さんにん)分(ぶん)の食事(しょくじ)を用意(ようい)した。
I prepared meals for three people.
残(のこ)りの分(ぶん)は明日(あした)届(とど)けますので、もう少(すこ)しお待(ま)ちください。
The remaining portion will be delivered tomorrow, so please wait a little longer.
2. extent; degree; amount corresponding to
The degree or amount equivalent to a stated quantity or condition. Often used with の to mean 'worth of' or 'corresponding to.'
遅(おく)れた分(ぶん)を取(と)り戻(もど)す。
To make up for the time lost.
去年(きょねん)より売(う)り上(あ)げが増(ふ)えた分(ぶん)、利益(りえき)も上(あ)がった。
Profits went up by the amount that sales increased over last year.
努力(どりょく)した分(ぶん)だけ結果(けっか)がついてくる。
Results come in proportion to the effort you put in.
3. status; standing; one's place
One's social position or standing, or what is appropriate for one's role or situation.
自分(じぶん)の分(ぶん)をわきまえる。
To know one's place.
学生(がくせい)の分(ぶん)で生意気(なまいき)なことを言(い)うな。
Don't say presumptuous things — you're just a student.
年長者(ねんちょうしゃ)として分(ぶん)をわきまえた行動(こうどう)が求(もと)められる。
As an elder, behavior befitting one's status is expected.

One of several readings of the kanji 分(ぶん). As ぶん, it focuses on the idea of a portion, share, or extent. As ふん it means minutes, and as わ in 分(わ)ける it means to divide.

The sense-2 pattern ～た分(ぶん)(だけ) is extremely common and means "to the extent that" or "in proportion to." This is one of the most useful patterns for intermediate learners.

Common patterns

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 部分(ぶぶん): part, portion — refers to a section of a whole, not an allocated share
  • 分量(ぶんりょう): quantity, amount — focuses on measurable quantity
  • 取(と)り分(ぶん): one's share; cut — specifically what one receives from a division

Related Words

Related: 部分(ぶぶん)
Related: 分量(ぶんりょう)
general
Added 2026.4.30 21:10 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
26000/26216_bun