fragment · one-sided

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 片 has 4 strokes and denotes one side or a fragment of a whole.
• Basic usage: 片方 is read かたほう, and 断片 is read だんぺん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• One of a pair and a fragment
  • 靴下の片方 means one sock of a pair.
  • 古い手紙の断片 means a fragment of an old letter.
  • 断片 can also refer to part of a conversation, as in 会話の断片.
• Readings within words
  • 片 is read かた in 片方.
  • In 断片, 片 is read ぺん.