<p>In the past, it was 身分, which means the social position of an individual.</p>

<p><a href="http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=Z00000131140" rel="nofollow">http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=Z00000131140</a></p>

<p>Somehow, in modern times, it evolved to 身份. Indeed, in Taiwan, the identity card is called "身分證", while in Hong Kong, it is called "身份證".</p>

<p>I would say that both "身分" &amp; "身份" have their supporters.</p>

<p>If you can read traditional Chinese characters, there's a pdf about the controversy over "分" or "份" in the translation of "identity card", by the law drafting division, Department of Justice, of Hong Kong.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ics/clrc/crcl_48/yen.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ics/clrc/crcl_48/yen.pdf</a></p>

<p>Have fun :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-24T16:48:59.837Z
same in 大陆：bkrs，MDGB： 身份证 identity card / ID, 證 traditional for 证
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-24T17:17:32.637Z
answer confirmed by web search using "身份 vs。 身分" , additional information at http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/14015-%E8%BA%AB%E4%BB%BD-vs-%E8%BA%AB%E5%88%86/
user6065
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-18T03:00:41.983Z
In Singapore it's 身份证
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-24T16:38:37.983Z
2016-07-27T14:48:25.790Z
2016-07-27T14:48:25.790Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>What is the meaning of 份 in 身份? Is 份 used as a word pointing to a papers i.e. documents (passport and so on)? Or is it used as a 'division' so as to differentiate a man from man (身 body in our case)?</p>

<meaning><meaning-in-context><etymology>
Why there is 份 in 身份?
# Why there is 份 in 身份?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-24)

What is the meaning of 份 in 身份? Is 份 used as a word pointing to a papers i.e. documents (passport and so on)? Or is it used as a 'division' so as to differentiate a man from man (身 body in our case)?

**Tags:** meaning, meaning-in-context, etymology

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-07-24. Score: 6

In the past, it was 身分, which means the social position of an individual.

<http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&searchid=Z00000131140>

Somehow, in modern times, it evolved to 身份. Indeed, in Taiwan, the identity card is called "身分證", while in Hong Kong, it is called "身份證".

I would say that both "身分" & "身份" have their supporters.

If you can read traditional Chinese characters, there's a pdf about the controversy over "分" or "份" in the translation of "identity card", by the law drafting division, Department of Justice, of Hong Kong.

<http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ics/clrc/crcl_48/yen.pdf>

Have fun :)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: same in 大陆：bkrs，MDGB： 身份证 identity card / ID, 證 traditional for 证  
> **username_2**: answer confirmed by web search using "身份 vs。 身分" , additional information at http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/14015-%E8%BA%AB%E4%BB%BD-vs-%E8%BA%AB%E5%88%86/  
> **username_3**: In Singapore it's 身份证  

---

