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.
Please separate the cake into six pieces.
More formal, often used for dividing land, property, data, or tasks into sections.
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.
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.
Transitive verb meaning to separate or keep apart physically.
For a married couple to stop living together without divorcing.
The standard term for marital separation, living apart.
Describing things that are not joined or are distinct.
The most common way to say 'separate' as an adjective, meaning distinct or individual.
分ける (wakeru) is transitive (to divide something), while 別れる (wakareru) is intransitive (to part from someone). Don't confuse them.
The teacher separated the class.
Let's separate the class into two groups.
Please separate this part from the main body.
It's difficult to separate right from wrong.
He can't tell the twins apart.
Focuses on visual distinction or discerning by observation.
Even pros find it hard to separate the genuine from the fake.
Often used for sorting or classifying, like separating trash for recycling.
Please separate your trash.
Used when people part ways, or when a couple breaks up. Intransitive.
We separated at the station.
They separated last year.
To become physically distant or detached. Intransitive.
The boat separated from the shore.
For groups, meetings, or organizations to break up or disband.
The meeting separated at 5 o'clock.
Please separate the two who are fighting.
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.
A wall separates the room into two.
Technical term for separation, like in chemistry or engineering.
Separate oil and water.
They are separated now.
Literally 'in-house separation', when a couple lives together but leads separate lives.
We're totally separated under the same roof.
Let's stay in separate rooms.
Please give us separate checks.
Means 'another' or 'different', often used when 'separate' implies 'not the same'.
That's a separate issue.
Means 'independent' or 'standalone', used for separate entities or systems.
Each department has a separate budget.
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.