Translation guide
The English word "separate" covers several distinct meanings, from dividing things physically to distinguishing between concepts, and from living apart to breaking up. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these core meanings.
To physically or conceptually divide something into parts, or to split a group into smaller groups.
The most common and versatile verb for dividing or splitting things into parts. Can be used for physical objects, groups, or abstract things.
ケーキを６つに分けてください。
Please separate the cake into six pieces.
クラスを２つのグループに分けましょう。
Let's separate the class into two groups.
More formal, often used for dividing land, property, data, or tasks into sections.
土地を３つに分割して売却した。
They separated the land into three lots and sold them.
Literally 'cut and separate', used when physically detaching something that was connected.
To recognize or show the difference between two or more things.
The standard verb for distinguishing between things, people, or concepts.
善悪を区別するのは難しい。
It's difficult to separate right from wrong.
For people or things to stop being together and go in different directions.
To cause things or people to be apart, often for a purpose like preventing mixing or conflict.
For a married couple to stop living together without divorcing.
The standard term for marital separation, living apart.
彼らは今別居している。
They are separated now.
Describing things that are not joined or are distinct.
The most common way to say 'separate' as an adjective, meaning distinct or individual.
別々の部屋に泊まりましょう。
Let's stay in separate rooms.
会計は別々にしてください。
Please give us separate checks.
分ける (wakeru) is transitive (to divide something), while 別れる (wakareru) is intransitive (to part from someone). Don't confuse them.
先生がクラスを分けた。
The teacher separated the class.
クラスが二つに別れた。
The class separated into two.
For couples living apart, use 別居する (bekkyo suru). 分ける would sound like you are physically dividing the couple, which is unnatural.
この部分を本体から切り離してください。
Please separate this part from the main body.
He can't tell the twins apart.
Focuses on visual distinction or discerning by observation.
本物と偽物を見分けるのはプロでも難しい。
Even pros find it hard to separate the genuine from the fake.
Often used for sorting or classifying, like separating trash for recycling.
ゴミを分別してください。
Please separate your trash.
Used when people part ways, or when a couple breaks up. Intransitive.
私たちは駅で別れた。
We separated at the station.
彼らは去年別れた。
They separated last year.
To become physically distant or detached. Intransitive.
船が岸から離れていった。
The boat separated from the shore.
For groups, meetings, or organizations to break up or disband.
会議は５時に解散した。
The meeting separated at 5 o'clock.
Transitive verb meaning to separate or keep apart physically.
けんかをしている二人を離してください。
Please separate the two who are fighting.
この薬は子供の手の届かない所に離して保管してください。
Keep this medicine separated and stored out of reach of children.
To partition or set apart, often with a barrier or distance. Can be physical or metaphorical.
壁が部屋を二つに隔てている。
A wall separates the room into two.
Technical term for separation, like in chemistry or engineering.
油と水を分離する。
Separate oil and water.
Literally 'in-house separation', when a couple lives together but leads separate lives.
うちは完全に家庭内別居だよ。
We're totally separated under the same roof.
Means 'another' or 'different', often used when 'separate' implies 'not the same'.
それは別の問題だ。
That's a separate issue.
Means 'independent' or 'standalone', used for separate entities or systems.
各部署は独立した予算を持っている。
Each department has a separate budget.