二(ふた)つに割(わ)る

ふたつにわる
expression
to split in two; to divide in half
1. to split in two; to divide in half; to break into two pieces
To divide one object into two parts, either physically (breaking, cutting) or figuratively (splitting a group, opinion, or share).
ケーキを二(ふた)つに割(わ)った。
I split the cake in two.
リンゴを二(ふた)つに割(わ)って弟(おとうと)と分(わ)けた。
I split the apple in two and shared it with my younger brother.
この問題(もんだい)は国(くに)の世論(よろん)を二(ふた)つに割(わ)る大(おお)きな議論(ぎろん)になっている。
This issue has become a major debate that has split public opinion in two.

Productive pattern with 数詞(すうし) + に割(わ)る ("split into N parts"). The figurative use, especially 意見(いけん)を二(ふた)つに割(わ)る or 世論(よろん)を二(ふた)つに割(わ)る, is very common.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ケーキ／パンを二(ふた)つに割(わ)る: to split a cake/bread in two
  • 意見(いけん)を二(ふた)つに割(わ)る: to split opinion in two
  • 世論(よろん)を二(ふた)つに割(わ)る: to divide public opinion
  • チームを二(ふた)つに割(わ)る: to split a team into two groups

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 半分(はんぶん)にする: to halve — focus on the result (each half equal)
  • 二(ふた)つに分(わ)ける: to divide in two — softer, may use non-physical division (sorting)
  • 二分(にぶん)する: to bisect; to split in two — more formal/written

PATTERN:
The pattern extends to other numbers: 三(みっ)つに割(わ)る (split in three), 四(よっ)つに割(わ)る (split in four), etc.

general
Added 2026.5.13 8:55
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