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.
これは私の分です。
This is my share.
三人分の食事を用意した。
I prepared meals for three people.
残りの分は明日届けますので、もう少しお待ちください。
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.'
遅れた分を取り戻す。
To make up for the time lost.
去年より売り上げが増えた分、利益も上がった。
Profits went up by the amount that sales increased over last year.
努力した分だけ結果がついてくる。
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.
自分の分をわきまえる。
To know one's place.
学生の分で生意気なことを言うな。
Don't say presumptuous things — you're just a student.
年長者として分をわきまえた行動が求められる。
As an elder, behavior befitting one's status is expected.
One of several readings of the kanji 分. As ぶん, it focuses on the idea of a portion, share, or extent. As ふん it means minutes, and as わ in 分ける it means to divide.
The sense-2 pattern ～た分(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.
USAGE PATTERNS:
- ～人分: portion for N people (二人分 = for two people)
- ～の分: someone's share (私の分 = my share)
- ～た分だけ: to the extent that ~
- 分をわきまえる: to know one's place
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自分の分: one's own share
- 残りの分: the remaining portion
- 余った分: the leftover portion
- 足りない分: the shortfall; the amount lacking
- 遅れた分: the amount of delay; the lost time
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 部分: part, portion — refers to a section of a whole, not an allocated share
- 分量: quantity, amount — focuses on measurable quantity
- 取り分: one's share; cut — specifically what one receives from a division