separate, branch off, diverge, fork, another, extra, specially
別 centers on division and distinction: separating one thing from another, branching off, or treating something as different or special. The senses of 'another' and 'extra' follow naturally from setting something apart.
別 combines 刂 (knife) with a left side that historically represented bones or separation, suggesting cutting apart or dividing. The modern left side is a simplification.
The right side 刂 is a knife, and the left side looks like a mouth 口 and power 力. Imagine using a knife to cut a powerful argument into separate pieces, branching off into different points.
For ベツ, imagine a knife cutting a betsu (a made-up word for a special extra piece). The sound 'betsu' cues ベツ while the knife separates the special part.
distinction; difference; discrimination
special; particular; extraordinary; exceptional; especial
(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) specially
parting (of people); separation; farewell
distinction; differentiation; discrimination
individual; separate; personal; case-by-case
distinction; differentiation; discrimination; difference
(distinction of) sex; gender
different person; another person; someone else; changed man
distinction; discrimination; discernment; identification
to part (usu. of people); to part from; to part with; to be apart from
holiday house; vacation home; villa
another name; different name; synonym
separate; special; another
classification; assortment
separation (e.g. of rubbish when recycling); classification; discrimination; division; distinction
discretion; prudence; good sense; judgement; judgment; wisdom; discernment
selection; sorting; culling; screening; triage
separation; living separately; living apart
separate volume; extra issue; supplement; additional volume; supplementary volume
particular; special; exceptional; especial
farewell; send-off
separation; farewell; parting
discrimination; judgement; judgment; separation; sorting
annex (to a building); annexe; extension; supplementary building
another; different; separate; discrete
separate room; another room
general classification; broad categorization
farewell; leave-taking
annexed (statistical) table
branch temple
separate building; outbuilding; outhouse
industrial union
failure to reach agreement
separate; respective; different
different thing; another question; different case
door-to-door visit; door-to-door canvassing (canvasing)
indiscrimination; without discrimination
discount price; special offer price
special ward; administrative subdivision of a prefecture that has a directly elected mayor and assembly
farewell party