remnant; fragment; incomplete set; incompleteness
Used for something that is left over, fragmentary, or not complete as a set or whole.
半端な布を集めて、小さな袋を作った。
I gathered leftover pieces of cloth and made a small bag.
この全集は一冊足りなくて半端だ。
This complete works set is missing one volume, so it is incomplete.
fraction; remainder; odd amount
Refers to a leftover fractional part or an amount that does not divide or round off neatly; 端数 is often the more technical word for this.
三人で割ると半端が出る。
If we divide it among three people, there will be a remainder.
半端な金額は切り捨てて計算してください。
Please round down any odd amount when calculating.
halfway; half-hearted; perfunctory
Describes work, an attitude, or an effort that is not carried through properly; 中途半端 is a very common related expression for this idea.
半端な気持ちで始めても、長くは続かない。
If you start with a half-hearted attitude, you will not keep it up for long.
彼の説明は半端で、肝心な点が抜けていた。
His explanation was perfunctory and left out the crucial points.
irresponsible; foolish; half-baked
Pejorative extension used to criticize careless, ill-considered, or unreliable behavior; it overlaps with the idea of being half-hearted or half-baked.
半端なことをして、仲間に迷惑をかけるな。
Do not do anything irresponsible and cause trouble for your teammates.
こんな大事な仕事で半端なまねはできない。
We cannot afford any foolish, half-baked behavior on such an important job.
I rounded off the fraction under a thousand yen when calculating.
One sock ended up odd, without its pair.
Don't do your job with a half-hearted attitude.
He's a half-baked, unreliable person when it comes to work.
半端 alone means 'odd number' or 'a leftover fraction/incomplete quantity', while 中途半端 specifically describes a half-hearted or unfinished attitude or state.
odd job; part-time work; casual work