noun, noun, used as a suffix
Refers to the middle point in space, time, or progress. Also used as a suffix to mean 'in the middle of'.
会議の半ばで彼は退席した。
He left the meeting halfway through.
道の半
We took a break at a shop midway along the road.
noun
half (of); one half
Used to indicate a half portion or roughly half of something.
参加者の半ばは女性だった。
Half of the participants were women.
adverb
partly; half (done, jokingly)
Adverbial use meaning something is done partially, not completely, or with mixed feelings. Often used with verbs like 諦める, 冗談で言う, etc.
半ば諦めながらも、最後まで頑張った。
Though I had half given up, I kept trying until the end.
彼は半ば冗談でそう言った。
He said that half jokingly.
adverb
Adverbial use meaning 'for the most part' or 'almost entirely'. Often used when something is nearly complete or mostly the case.
工事は半ば完了している。
The construction is mostly complete.
彼の話は半ば本当だった。
His story was almost true.