半数

bànshù

half the number; half

HSK 7

漢字分解

Usage of 半数

The word 半数 literally means "half the number" and is used to refer to half of a group or quantity. It is commonly used in statistics, surveys, voting contexts, and any situation where a portion of a whole is discussed.

Common contexts

  • Describing proportions in groups, such as students, voters, or respondents.
  • Reporting survey or poll results.
  • Indicating the number of people or items reaching a certain threshold.

Collocations and patterns

These collocations emphasize the portion of a group and are often followed by verbs indicating action or opinion.

Notes

半数 is a neutral, formal term suitable for written and spoken Chinese, especially in news, reports, and formal discussions. It differs from simply saying "一半" which can be more casual or refer to physical halves rather than counts of people or items.

Avoid confusing 半数 with 一半; 半数 focuses on countable entities and is often used with people or discrete items.

例文

半数的学生通过了这次考试。

Bànshù de xuéshēng tōngguòle zhè cì kǎoshì.

Half of the students passed this exam.

调查显示,半数受访者支持这个政策。

Diàochá xiǎnshì, bànshù shòufǎng zhě zhīchí zhège zhèngcè.

The survey shows that half of the respondents support this policy.

会议上,半数代表投了赞成票。

Huìyì shàng, bànshù dàibiǎo tóule zànchéng piào.

At the meeting, half of the representatives voted in favor.