比分
bǐ fēn · HSK 4
score
⚽ 比分 = compare + portion: the compared portions of points
比 means compare and 分 means part or points. A 比分 is literally the compared point-totals of two sides — the score. Common in sports: 比分 2:1 means the score is 2 to 1.
比 — two 匕 (person) side by side
比 is a pictograph showing two people standing side by side, facing the same direction. From this image of paired figures came the core meaning 'to compare' or 'to be next to,' since comparing things naturally involves placing them alongside each other.
分 — knife 刀 + eight 八 (split apart)
分 originally depicted a knife (刀) cutting something into two parts, shown by 八 above (which itself meant 'divide'). The core sense is 'to divide' or 'split', from which extended meanings like 'portion', 'minute', and 'part' developed. Pronounced fèn, it carries the sense of an allotted share.