32236
In a phrase like:

> 面白{おもしろ}半分に見る

or

> 面白半分に言う

What is the concept behind the 半分 and why is it connected with the verb using
に?

Is it like "all things have two parts/aspects": _serious_ (真剣半分?) and _fun_
and the action takes part "on the" fun part (as opposed to the other equal
part), thus being similar to the English "side of the coin"? Or is it
something different?

Are there any other phrases using this concept?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-17T12:53:27.773
32235
2016-02-18T08:39:06.960
2016-02-18T08:39:06.960
11104
11104
question
meaning etymology idioms
What is the image/feeling/concept behind 面白半分に◯◯する?
The 面白 comes from 面白い which as you probably know means "fun, interesting". The
半分 part means "half".

The expression ”面白半分に” means literally to do something "half fun", "half
serious" (as you hinted at). See the definition in the dictionary
[here](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/je/9050/meaning/m0u/%E9%9D%A2%E7%99%BD%E5%8D%8A%E5%88%86/).
The "に" acts to make the phrase an adverb which is acting on a verb such as 見る
or 言う in your examples.

The [Japanese
definition](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/33409/meaning/m0u/%E9%9D%A2%E7%99%BD%E5%8D%8A%E5%88%86/)
of this word says "興味本位の気持ちがあって、真剣さに欠けていること" which means something like
"Having a curiosity about something, but lacking in seriousness".

I think this can be translated in various ways depending on the situation,
such as "just for fun", "half in jest", etc.

You can see [this page](http://lovehallo.seesaa.net/article/278683512.html)
(Japanese) which gives a brief description of the phrase. The author of that
article indicates it may have a slight negative connotation.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-17T13:14:52.057
32236
2016-02-17T15:19:39.137
2016-02-17T15:19:39.137
11825
11825
32235
answer