等分

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 等分 is a noun and irregular transitive verb read とうぶん, meaning to divide a whole into parts equal in size or amount.
• Basic usage: Use 八人分に等分する for equal portions for eight people and 四等分する for dividing something into four equal parts.
  • 焼いた菓子を八人分に等分した。 describes dividing the baked treats into eight equal portions; 長いひもに印を付けて四等分する。 describes marking a long string and dividing it into four equal parts.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 八人分に等分する
  • に marks equal portions for eight people as the result of division.
• 四等分する
  • The preceding number specifies how many equal parts are made.
• 印を付けて
  • The string is marked first, and those marks guide the subsequent division.