半
bàn
Half
半 (bàn) — half A half B
半 (bàn) + A + 半 (bàn) + B
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what半What like半What like
Rule structure
The pattern links two monosyllabic words and conveys simultaneity or mixture: 半信半疑 (bàn xìn bàn yí), 半明半暗 (bàn míng bàn àn) (bàn míng bàn àn). A and B are usually semantically paired monosyllabic words.
Rule structure
The pattern links two monosyllabic words and conveys simultaneity or mixture: 半信半疑 (bàn xìn bàn yí), 半明半暗 (bàn míng bàn àn) (bàn míng bàn àn). A and B are usually semantically paired monosyllabic words.
Examples
他半信半疑地听着这个消息。
Tā bànxìn-bànyí de tīngzhe zhège xiāoxi.
He listened to the news half-believing, half-doubting.
Examples
他半信半疑地听着这个消息。
Tā bànxìn-bànyí de tīngzhe zhège xiāoxi.
He listened to the news half-believing, half-doubting.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “half A half B” in Chinese with 半?
Use the structure: 半 (bàn) + A + 半 (bàn) + B. For example: 他半信半疑地听着这个消息。 — “He listened to the news half-believing, half-doubting”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他半信半疑地听着这个消息。 — “He listened to the news half-believing, half-doubting”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B