noun
half; 50%
Used for a half portion or 50% of something, often in contexts like probability, division, or mixture.
成功の確率は五分だ。
The probability of success is fifty-fifty.
酒と水を五分に割る。
Mix sake and water in equal parts.
noun
5 parts; 5%
Specifically five parts out of a whole, or 5%. Less common than the 'half' sense; context usually makes the meaning clear.
この合金は銅が五分含まれている。
This alloy contains five parts copper.
noun
Often used in the compound 五分五分 (fifty-fifty) or in phrases like 五分の勝負 (an even match). Implies equal standing or a tie.
See also: 五分五分
試合は五分の勝負だった。
The match was an even contest.
両者の実力は五分だ。
The two are evenly matched in ability.
A common compound meaning 'fifty-fifty' or 'evenly matched', often used for chances or scores. 五分 alone can carry the same meaning but is less explicit.
Also means 'half-and-half' or 'fifty-fifty', but is more colloquial and often used for dividing things equally. 五分 can sound slightly more formal or literary.
From 五 (five) and 分 (part, portion). Literally 'five parts', which came to mean 'half' (five out of ten) and by extension 'equal' or 'tie'.