分 ・ぶん (bun)

Meaning & usage

〜ぶん expresses a share, portion, or worth corresponding to a particular person count, time period, or quantity, used when talking about food, medicine, laundry, payments, and other amounts needed. It attaches to a noun expressing amount, as in 二人分, 三日分, and 一週間分, and the whole expression works as a noun, so it can take particles like の, を, or が. It is read ぶん, and it describes the amount itself rather than the act of ordering or reserving, so avoid using it to request a table for a party.

Example sentences 6

1. 二人分ふたりぶんのコーヒーを買かってきた。

   I bought coffee for two people.

2. 三日分のご飯を作り置きした。

   I prepped three days' worth of meals.

3. 一人分だけお皿に残っている。

   Only one person's portion is left on the plate.

4. 一週間分の薬をもらった。

   I received a week's worth of medicine.

5. 家族四人分の洗濯物が多い。

   There is a lot of laundry for a family of four.

6. 二か月分の家賃をまとめて払った。

   I paid two months' worth of rent all at once.